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Agence nationale des renseignements (Togo)

This article is about an intelligence agency of Togo. For an intelligence agency of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, see Agence nationale de renseignements (Democratic Republic of the Congo).

The Agence nationale des renseignements, also known by its acronym ANR, is the intelligence agency of the Republic of Togo. The agency is responsible for a range of actions including information gathering, foreign intelligence, counterterrorism, counterintelligence, and surveillance. The service is closely linked to the Gnassingbé regime and is frequently a subject of controversy, particularly for its use of torture. Since October 2018, it has been led by Colonel Ali Esso Tchakpélé, a close associate of Faure Gnassingbé.

Missions

The missions assigned to the service include "ensuring the internal and external security of the State" and "monitoring individuals or groups, whether nationals or foreigners, suspected of engaging in activities that undermine the security of the State".[1]

History

In 2012, the service came under scrutiny by the National Consultative Commission on Human Rights (CNDH) for allegations of torture and mistreatment of prisoners and political opponents.[2] These acts of torture were reportedly carried out under the leadership of Yotrofei Massina, who was later transferred to head the gendarmerie.[3][4] When the CNDH leader, Koffi Kounté, stated that the government's published version of the report was false, he had to flee Togo and seek refuge in France due to threats on his life.[5]

In 2014, Faure Gnassingbé appointed Colonel Koulemaga Kassawa to lead the agency.[6] Despite this, the Togolese president appeared not to have unlimited control over the service, where dissenting elements existed at that time.[5]

By 2018, Gnassingbé named Colonel Ali Esso Tchakpélé as the head of the service, replacing Koulemaga Kassawa.[7][8] This move was aimed at strengthening his control over the agency following a rebellion among officers within the state security apparatus.[7] The choice of Ali Esso Tchakpélé was significant as he is a Kabye native of Pya, the historical lands of the Gnassingbé clan.[7] He had previously served as interim head of the service in 2012 after Yotrofei Massina's transfer.[9]

References

  1. ^ GIABA (2022), Mesures de lutte contre le blanchiment de capitaux et le financement du terrorisme (LBC/FT) au Togolaise – 2022, Deuxième Cycle des Évaluation Mutuelle, GIABA, Dakar https://www.fatf-gafi.org/content/dam/fatf-gafi/fsrb-mer/GIABA-French-Mutual-Evaluation-Togo-2022.pdf Archived 2023-12-02 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ "Projet Atlas de la Torture - Rapport final Togo | EEAS" (PDF). www.eeas.europa.eu. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  3. ^ Kohnert, Dirk (2015-03-13). "Togo - 2014: Politics, economy and society in 2014" (PDF). mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2024-06-15. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  4. ^ "Nomination de Yotroféi Massina à la tête de la gendarmerie : Des ODDH demandent à Faure Gnassingbé de revenir sur sa décis". Togo Actualite - Premier site d'information du Togo (in French). 2014-10-17. Archived from the original on 2022-11-27. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  5. ^ a b Kohnert, Dirk (April 2015). "Togo: recent political and economic development" (PDF). mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2022-06-15. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  6. ^ "2014-166/PR | JOURNAL OFFICIEL DE LA REPUBLIQUE TOGOLAISE : LOIS ET REGLEMENTS" (PDF). jo.gouv.tg. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  7. ^ a b c Kohnert, Dirk (2019), "Togo - 2018: Domestic politics, foreign affairs, socio-economic development", Africa Yearbook Volume 15 - Politics, economy and society South of the Sahara in 2018, Leiden & Boston: Brill, pp. 179–188, ISBN 978-90-04-41766-3, archived from the original on 2023-12-03, retrieved 2024-07-10
  8. ^ "TOGO : Ali Esso Tchakpélé, le nouveau sécurocrate de Faure - 31/10/2018 - La Lettre du Continent". Africa Intelligence (in French). 2024-07-10. Archived from the original on 2023-11-18. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  9. ^ "TOGO : Ali Esso Tchakpélé - 25/10/2012 - La Lettre du Continent". Africa Intelligence (in French). 2024-07-09. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
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