The Togolese government commemorated the 40th anniversary of the September 23, 1986 terrorist attack in Lomé on September 23, 2026. The event was marked by a ceremony at the General Gnassingbé Eyadema camp, where President of the Council Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, also the supreme head of the armed forces, decorated meritorious officers and non-commissioned officers. This ceremony honored the memory of the victims and recognized the bravery of the Defense and Security Forces.
The terrorist attack on September 23, 1986, was a significant event in Togo's contemporary history. Forty years later, the nation remembered the victims and celebrated the courage of those who fought against the aggression. President Faure Gnassingbé decorated several officers and non-commissioned officers with the Cross of Valor with silver or bronze stars for their heroic responses to the attack, their bravery in Operation Koundjoaré, and their acts of courage in ongoing security operations.
The decorations given during the ceremony recognized three categories of engagement. The first category included personnel who demonstrated a heroic response to the 1986 aggression. The second category consisted of those who showed bravery in Operation Koundjoaré, which was conducted in the Savanes Region to counter the terrorist threat. The third category comprised elements that demonstrated acts of courage in routine security operations or were injured while performing their duties.
The ceremony was attended by several high-ranking officials, including the President of the National Assembly, Komi Selom Klassou, the President of the Senate, Barry Moussa Barqué, and other institutional leaders, government members, deputies, senators, military and paramilitary authorities, traditional chiefs, and other personalities. The event was a testament to the nation's solidarity with the victims and their families.
During the ceremony, an excerpt from the historic speech of the Father of the Nation, late General Gnassingbé Eyadema, was played, along with archival footage of the tragic day in Lomé. These images are now part of the collective memory, allowing the nation to reflect on the events and appreciate the courage, determination, and solidarity that helped Togo overcome the ordeal.
The commemoration of the September 23 attack serves not only as a duty of remembrance but also as a lesson for future generations. It emphasizes the importance of transmitting history so that the sacrifices made yesterday and today are never forgotten, and future generations can draw on them to preserve national unity and peace.
Through these decorations, the nation expressed its gratitude and solidarity with the victims and their families, reaffirming its commitment to the values of peace, dignity, fraternity, and resilience. The ceremony concluded with the recipients standing still for the national anthem, a moment of solemnity that underscored the significance of the event.
Key points
- Togo commemorated the 40th anniversary of the 1986 terrorist attack, honoring victims and recognizing the bravery of security forces.
- President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé decorated officers and non-commissioned officers for their heroic responses to the attack and their contributions to security operations.
- The commemoration served as a lesson for future generations, emphasizing the importance of remembering and learning from history.
