The President of the Republic of Togo, Faure Gnassingbé, has announced a major restructuring within the Togolese Armed Forces (FAT), following the footsteps of Cameroon and Rwanda. This reorganization includes the retirement of a number of senior officers, among them General Yark Damehame, the current Minister of Security and Civil Protection.
Around ten senior officers from the army and the National Gendarmerie are thus forced to retire, due to reaching the statutory age limit. Among the names on this list are Generals Komlan Adjitowou, Dadja Maganawe, and Yark Damehame. Colonels Soule Abderman, Kollah Kabyè, Ago Yoma, Gado Biwissouwe, Agarim Adressim are also affected, as well as Captain Balabadi Safiou and Lieutenant Tchala Panapese.
This restructuring, recommended by the Chief of Staff of the FAT, comes in a regional context marked by political instability after a group of military personnel announced they had taken control of Gabon’s public television. Although Faure Gnassingbé did not specify a direct link between the situation in Gabon and the decision to restructure the FAT, this coincidence has not escaped the attention of international observers.
The age limit reached by these senior officers appears to be the main criterion leading to their retirement. However, experts believe that this measure could also be interpreted as an attempt to consolidate stability within the FAT and ensure the army’s loyalty to the current regime.
General Yark Damehame, in particular, was a prominent figure within the Togolese army and held a key position as the Minister of Security and Civil Protection. His retirement marks the end of a long military career.
