Security and Civil Protection: Togo Passes New Intelligence Law
Togo’s National Assembly last week unanimously approved a landmark intelligence law designed to modernize the country’s security architecture while enshrining protections for citizens’ rights. The legislation, hailed by the government as a “critical tool for national stability,” aims to tackle evolving threats such as terrorism, cyberattacks, and transnational crime while fostering economic growth through enhanced investor confidence. Key Provisions and Security PrioritiesSpearheaded by the National Assembly’s Defense and Security Committee, the law establishes a legal framework for intelligence operations, emphasizing proportionality and accountability in surveillance practices. It mandates strict protocols to prevent abuse, including judicial oversight for data collection and safeguards for vulnerable groups such as journalists, activists, and minority communities. The legislation also prioritizes securing critical infrastructure—ports, energy grids, and telecommunications networks—from sabotage or extremist infiltration. Col. Calixte Madjoulba, Togo’s Minister of Security and Civil Protection, underscored the law’s […]