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According to the French Foreign Ministry, two French nationals have been detained in Togo since their arrest on July 27.
The individuals are journalist‑directors employed by a French production company, according to local media, and are now under judicial investigation.
Faure Gnassingbé has governed Togo since 2005, succeeding his father who led the country for 38 years.
Since late 2021, jihadist incursions originating from Burkina Faso have plagued Togo’s far north.
The government declared a state of emergency in the northern region in 2022, extending it multiple times, most recently in February for a one‑year period.
In June 2025, Radio France Internationale and France 24 were silenced for three months after the government accused them of broadcasting “inaccurate and tendentious remarks” following demonstrations that criticised the administration.
According to Reporters Without Borders, Togo is positioned 97th out of 180 nations in its annual press‑freedom ranking.