Child Soldiers Global Report 2001 - Togo
| Publisher | Child Soldiers International |
| Publication Date | 2001 |
| Cite as | Child Soldiers International, Child Soldiers Global Report 2001 - Togo, 2001, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/498805c6c.html [accessed 4 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
TOGOLESE REPUBLIC
Mainly covers the period June 1998 to April 2001 as well as including some earlier information.
- Population:
– total: 4,512,000
– under-18s: 2,373,000 - Government armed forces:
– active: 6,950-10,000
– paramilitary: 750 - Compulsory recruitment age: 18
- Voluntary recruitment age: 18
- Voting age (government elections): 18
- Child soldiers: none indicated
- CRC-OP-CAC: not signed
- Other treaties ratified: ACRWC; CRC; GC/API+II; ILO 138; ILO 182
- There are no indications of under-18s in government armed forces.
CONTEXT
There is no internal armed conflict in Togo, although the Government has alleged that the opposition has an armed wing at its disposal, possibly operating from Ghana.1921 In 1998 Togo contributed 80 soldiers to peacekeeping forces in Guinea-Bissau.1922
GOVERNMENT
National Recruitment Legislation and Practice
Conscription in Togo is selective.1923 Approximately 90 per cent of army officers and 70 per cent of soldiers are from the Kabye ethnic minority, the President's ethnic group.1924 The minimum age for conscription and voluntary recruitment is 18.1925 According to the Togolese government, however, service is performed primarily on a voluntary basis by recruits between 20 and 25 years of age.1926
Recruitment is carried out by a commission which travels across all prefectures of the country. Military training lasts 6 months in a national 'centre interarmées', after which enlisted men sign for a two year period that may be renewed. Service may last 20 years for private soldiers, 25 years for non-commissioned officers, and 30 years for 'majors'. Officers can retire according to their age.1927
Military Training and Military Schools
Suggestions that a small number of 17-year-olds were recruited into armed forces in 1998 were denied by the Chief of the Military Cabinet of the Togolese Ministry of Defence in April 1999.1928 There is no information available to suggest that minors are currently recruited into the armed forces of Togo.
Many children, however, are employed as domestics in Togo and the armed forces are no exception. Children between 6 and 18 years of age are present in military barracks doing menial work.
There are two military schools in Togo: Ecole de sous-officiers of Temedja and Ecole d'officiers of Pya. All students are over age 18.1929 There is also the Prytanée militaire of Tchitchao for children of military officers and other privileged children. These children enter the school at age 6 and at age 18 they can choose to join the army or go to university.
1921 US State Department, Human Rights Report, 2000.
1922 "Guinea-Bissau: Peacekeepers", Voice of America, 26/12/98.
1923 Horeman and Stolwijk op. cit.
1924 US State Department, Human Rights Report, 2000.
1925 Information supplied by DCI Togo.
1926 Declaration by Togolese delegation and W.A.O. Afrique at the African Conference on the use of children as soldiers, Maputo, 19-22/4 1999.
1927 Declaration by the Togolese delegation and W.A.O. Afrique, op. cit.
1928 Statement of Gen. Nabede Poutoyi, Chief of the Military Cabinet of the Togolese Ministry of Defence, Maputo, 19/4/99.
1929 UNICEF; supported by the Togolese delegation and W.A.O. Afrique, op. cit.
