Corruption is present in various sectors of activity in Togo. The country is ranked 121st out of 180 for the year 2024 by the non-governmental organisation (NGO) Transparency International. Corruption particularly affects the health sector, education, the justice system, the security services, the media and private companies. High-ranking government officials are also implicated in corruption cases. This corruption takes three forms: petty (bribery), grand (including embezzlement of public funds) and illicit financial flows.
The consequences of corruption are manifold: increased poverty and organised crime, human rights violations, environmental degradation, ineffective public policies, and impediments to growth and development.
In order to combat corruption, the Togolese government has signed up to international mechanisms and introduced national measures, including legal texts and supervisory bodies such as the High Authority for the Prevention and Combating of Corruption and Related Offences (Haute autorité de prévention et de lutte contre la corruption et les infractions assimilées, HAPLUCIA). Although the government has adopted laws ostensibly aimed at reducing corruption, these legal changes have not been followed by effective enforcement and convictions of senior officials.
The lack of a law protecting whistleblowers is another concern in the fight against corruption. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) notes that the safety of journalists remains a serious concern, particularly for those reporting on corruption or state affairs, as they may face serious reprisals.
Regarding false documents, the online press has published various examples of such practices in the country. These include driving licences, identity cards, birth certificates, consular documents, banknotes, diplomas and medical certificates.
Policy
The policy implemented by the Commissioner General is based on a thorough analysis of accurate and up-to-date information on the general situation in the country of origin. This information is collated in a professional manner from various, objective sources, including the EUAA, the UNHCR, relevant international human rights organisations, non-governmental organisations, professional literature and coverage in the media. When determining policy, the Commissioner General does not only examine the COI Focuses written by Cedoca and published on this website, as these deal with just one aspect of the general situation in the country of origin. The fact that a COI Focus could be out-of-date does not mean that the policy that is being implemented by the Commissioner General is no longer up-to-date.
When assessing an application for asylum, the Commissioner General not only considers the actual situation in the country of origin at the moment of decision-making, he also takes into account the individual situation and personal circumstances of the applicant for international protection. Every asylum application is examined individually. An applicant must comprehensively demonstrate that he has a well-founded fear of persecution or that there is a clear personal risk of serious harm. He cannot, therefore, simply refer back to the general conditions in his country, but must also present concrete, credible and personal facts.
There is no policy paper for this country available on the website.