On November 1, 2026, the legitimate Government of Togo in exile and the Dynamique Monseigneur Kpodzro (DMK) issued a joint statement. They claimed that on October 23, 2026, the ECOWAS Court of Justice notified Togolese authorities of a formal injunction to enforce the January 29, 2026 ruling. This ruling had given nine months for voluntary execution, which the signatories claim has now expired. The January 2026 ruling is associated with the Togolese case.
The joint statement cited two essential legal foundations for their action: UN multilateralism and African multilateralism. They referenced the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, which stipulates that treaties must be executed in good faith. Additionally, they invoked Article 15 of the revised ECOWAS Treaty, which makes ECOWAS Court judgments binding and immediately enforceable.
According to the legitimate Government of Togo and the DMK, the Togolese authorities' inaction following the ECOWAS Court's notification places them in a situation of procedural forfeiture and estoppel. They described this situation as a continuous and cumulative internationally wrongful act under the 2001 Articles on Responsibility of States for Internationally Wrongful Acts. This, they argue, obliges the authorities to immediately cease the alleged unconstitutional change of power that occurred on March 25, 2024.
The legitimate Government of Togo in exile and the DMK called for the international community to take action. They urged the UN Secretary-General to be informed of what they consider a threat to democratic peace, under Article 39 of the UN Charter. They also requested that the African Union's Peace and Security Council be seized of the matter and that ECOWAS's Conference of Heads of State and Government take action.
In addition to international pressure, the legitimate Government of Togo and the DMK called for a general mobilization of the Togolese people. They invited Togolais to participate in a nightly prayer at 21:00 GMT for the liberation of their country. They also launched a slogan, "SITA N'SO," which they described as a call to action and a declaration of sovereignty.
The joint statement specifically addressed Togolese women, describing them as "Amazones de Lumière" and urging them to take a leading role in the movement. The legitimate Government of Togo in exile and the DMK emphasized that the 1992 Togolese Constitution, which they consider the only legitimate one, regains its full legal force.
The situation in Togo remains tense as the legitimate Government of Togo in exile and the DMK push for the implementation of the ECOWAS ruling. The Togolese authorities have not publicly responded to the latest developments. The international community is yet to take decisive action, despite the calls from the legitimate Government of Togo and the DMK.
Key points
- The Togolese government and the DMK are demanding the implementation of the ECOWAS Court's January 2026 ruling.
- The ruling called for the cessation of the alleged unconstitutional change of power in Togo.
- The legitimate Government of Togo in exile and the DMK have called for international action and national mobilization.
