Under the triple sign of security, peace and modernity – Togo-Presse

• An enticing parade chaired by the Head of State marked the festivities in Lomé

The Togolese people, in unison, celebrated the 63^e anniversary of national independence. Placed this year under the theme: Togo, a country at peace, a modern nation with inclusive and sustainable economic growth “, the commemorative demonstrations, which began more than a week ago with religious services and the inauguration of several socio-economic infrastructures, reached their apotheosis on Thursday, April 27, in Lomé, with an imposing military, paramilitary and civilian parade in Place des Fêtes in Lomé II, under the authority of the President of the Republic, Chief of the Armed Forces, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé. We noted the presence of several other personalities, including the Prime Minister, Victoire Tomégah-Dogbé, the President of the National Assembly, Yawa Djibgodi Tsègan, members of the government, deputies, representatives of the diplomatic corps, political authorities, military, traditional and religious. They were all mobilized for this capital event which marks the liberation of Togo from the colonial yoke, while honoring the memory of the pioneers of this independence, who gave birth to the ” Land of our ancestors at the cost of many sacrifices.

The Togolese, in their socio-cultural and political diversities, have for the 63^e consecutive time, paid a deserved tribute to the artisans of their freedom. It was yesterday during the celebration of the anniversary of independence snatched from the hands of the occupying forces, at the cost of human lives, on April 27, 1960. Everywhere, throughout the territory, this anniversary of great historical significance gave rise to a festive reunion, the purpose of which is an invitation to patriotism and solidarity for the harmonious development of our dear homeland, Togo. A nation moving towards emergence, which must be consolidated by adopting civic behavior, love of the fatherland, work well done, self-transcendence, tolerance, promotion of peace and unity national.

In Lomé, it was around an impressive military, paramilitary and civilian parade that these values ​​were shared by the populations in their diversity. Men and women, soldiers and civilians, young and old, politicians and civil society actors, diplomats and other guests, no one wanted to be told about the event which was rich in colors and sounds.

Lt Essossinam Kola at the head of the fallers.

Just after his arrival, aboard his command car, escorted by horsemen, the Head of State reviews the troops, stops for the hearing of the national anthem, receives military honours, before taking place in the official box. The sound of the 21 salvos announces the solemnity of the event, before the start of the military parade under the authorization of the Head of State, a parade placed under the orders of the commander of the troops, Colonel Makliwè Tabaté.

A popular military and paramilitary parade

It was the women and men making up the cavalry squadron of the National Gendarmerie who announced the colors of this parade by their passage. Place is given, thereafter, to the commander of the troops in front of the national standard carried by the representatives of all the corps of the army. Then will follow, successively, the Elite Corps of the Togolese Armed Forces (FAT), the National Gendarmerie, the Air Force and the National Navy. They all reiterated their commitment to the national cause in a masterful approach. Then come the elements of the Army made up of the Support and Support Regiment (RSA), the 1^is2^e et 4^e Infantry Regiments (RI) and Firefighters or Fire Army. Passages much appreciated by the public, through applause fed to the place of these valiant sons of the country whose main objective is to defend, until the supreme sacrifice, the territorial integrity and the life of the populations.

The passage of the standard carried by the various corps of the army.

The Parachute Commando Regiment, commonly known as ” the red berets and the Commando Regiment of the Presidential Guard “The Green Berets » have taken over with their particular and attractive approaches, which reassure that they will be there for Togo and the homeland. For this year specifically, all the corps paraded with their equipment, which attests to the authorities’ stated desire to modernize the defense and security forces, in order to better face security challenges. While the motorized elements showed their know-how on the ground, the hunters patrolled in the sky to the delight of the public who had, at the start of the ceremony, appreciated a successful sequence of jumps by the parachutists at an altitude of 2000 m.

This impressive passage gave way to military training schools, namely: the Officers Training School (EFOFAT), the Army Health Services School of Lomé (ESSAL) and the Eyadéma Military College of Tchitchao (CMET).

After the soldiers, it is the turn of the paramilitary corps to enter the scene to offer a beautiful spectacle and reaffirm their availability and determination to support the Head of State in his policy of peace, social cohesion and economic development. The National Police, the Togolese Customs and their various special units, the agents of the Waters and Forests, the Corps of the penitentiary administration, the operational reserve, the former combatants and the retirees of the National Police have also attracted the attention public.

The civilians were not the rest

Following the military and paramilitary parade, in turn, the beneficiaries of the Forum of Agricultural Producers of Togo (FOPAT) from each region, the Emergency Program for the Savannah Region (PURS), the Interministerial Committee for Prevention and Fight against Violent Extremism (CIPLEV) and the Tinga Fund completed the march in an atmosphere of joy with the hope of a better tomorrow.

In a security context which imposes behaviors of deterrence, it is important, for the fight to be effective, to establish a synergy of actions between the Defense and Security Forces coupled with the collaboration and support of the populations.

As a reminder, as a prelude to the military parade, the Head of State had inaugurated the Grand Marché de Kara, the IFAD livestock farm in Barkoissi, the Dogta Lafiè hospital in Lomé and laid the first building stone of the University of Kara. .

Zeus POUH-PEKA

Clementine PANASSA

Komla GOKATSE