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Togolese FM: We Look Forward to Strategic Partnership with Saudi Arabia

Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey. Asharq Al-Awsat
Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Togolese FM: We Look Forward to Strategic Partnership with Saudi Arabia

Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey. Asharq Al-Awsat
Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey. Asharq Al-Awsat

Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey revealed that his country, which enjoys the highest living standards in Africa, is moving closer to building a comprehensive strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia, which will boost security in West Africa.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Dussey confirmed that the leaderships of Saudi Arabia and Togo have the complete political will to enhance cooperation between the two countries.

Dussey has been on a visit to Riyadh since the beginning of the week.

“This visit allowed me to meet with several Saudi officials and ministers to put forward ideas and discussions that are currently taking place in various fields and to explore ways to enhance cooperation,” Dussey told the newspaper.

Togo’s top diplomat said that talks with Saudi officials covered the fields of agriculture and food security.

Agricultural products such as coffee, cocoa beans, groundnuts, cassava, jasmine rice, corn, and millet were discussed.

More so, Dussey announced that efforts are underway to open a Togolese embassy in Riyadh, saying “it might happen before the end of 2021.”

During a meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Dussey discussed issues of common interest, reviewed bilateral relations between Togo and Saudi Arabia, and examined means of boosting cooperation between the Kingdom and the West African nation.

Prince Faisal and Dussey also explored regional developments and international efforts.

“I spoke with my Saudi counterpart about political and security cooperation, especially in West Africa, the Sahel, and the Sahara, at a time when the Togolese government is making an effort to help Mali to restore its security and stability, and Chad to enhance security and peace and fight terrorism,” said Dussey.

“Togo and Saudi Arabia have had understandings of counter-terrorism cooperation since 2017, and the two countries will work together to maximize cooperation in the security sector,” he affirmed.

Dussey pointed out that Riyadh is still lending his country a helping hand on so many levels.

On the migration of African youth to Europe, Dussey stressed the importance of creating reasons to keep young people in their countries, where they could help in building the national economy, security, and political scene.

“The immigration of young people is often a bad idea, and the consequences are not guaranteed,” warned Dussey.

“But there is also a need to provide education and appropriate work for young people in their countries,” he added.

“I see that African youth do not need to immigrate to Europe, as their countries are rich in natural resources and need them,” noted Dussey.

When asked about peacemaking efforts in Yemen, Dussey expressed his belief in the need to get every Yemeni party to push towards achieving security, stability, and peace.

He noted that Saudi Arabia is striving to achieve all that is possible to push Yemenis in the direction of peace. The Kingdom is doing so through initiatives it launched.

Dussey stressed that the Riyadh Initiative is the appropriate way out for Yemen from the current crisis, emphasizing the need for other actors to take serious steps to move peace efforts forward.

The top diplomat noted that Togo will continue to support Saudi efforts to promote peace and find a solution to the Yemeni crisis.

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UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)

One of the UN’s top humanitarian officials in Lebanon, Imran Riza, has warned that the situation will worsen if the conflict continues, calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

He stressed that the ongoing war is placing immense strain on both the UN and the Lebanese government, as over a million people have been displaced. He said current needs exceed $400 million, but only 12% of that amount has been raised so far.

Worsening Crisis

Riza, who is the UN Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon, UN Resident, and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat. He described the past two weeks as “catastrophic” for civilians, with the crisis growing over the last year.

More than 600,000 people have been displaced and over a million affected, with 300,000 crossing the border, according to Riza.

Many of these people have been displaced more than once in search of safety. Riza emphasized that the war has severely impacted civilians, with more than a quarter of Lebanon's population affected.

The UN has been working to address the crisis, but Riza said resources are limited.

He stressed that the UN has been saying all year that it doesn’t have enough funds, even when there were only 110,000 displaced people.

Last week, the UN launched a $426 million appeal for urgent humanitarian aid, with 12% of the funding already secured.

Riza said more support is expected, with donor countries pledging additional help.

He also expressed gratitude for contributions from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which provided medical and relief supplies, and said the UN hopes to see more international assistance soon.

Working with the Government

The UN is working closely with the Lebanese government every day to provide shelter, food, healthcare, and water to those in need.

Cooperation with the government has been excellent, said Riza.

However, he acknowledged that the government’s capacity is weakened after five years of ongoing crises, which have also severely impacted the population.

People are less resilient than they were during the 2006 war, and the government and its institutions are weaker, affirmed Riza.

The UN is helping the government respond effectively, ensuring transparency and accountability, so that aid reaches those who need it, he added.

The UN is also collaborating with local and international NGOs that have gained experience from Lebanon’s recent crises, helping to ensure a more effective response. Shelters are also being monitored to prevent any abuse.

A Different Reality from 2006

The current situation in Lebanon is very different from the 2006 war. Politically, the country now has a caretaker government and no president, with much less international presence.

Back then, other countries were more involved, said Riza.

The 2006 war lasted only 33 days, but this conflict has dragged on for a year, he noted.

During recent visits to southern border areas, Riza said locals were asking when the war would end, as the situation has worsened significantly in the past two weeks.

Riza noted that, in the first week of the crisis, it was extremely difficult to respond, and even now, many displaced people remain without shelter.

The UN is working with the government to provide shelter, food, and healthcare, but it’s not easy, he noted.

Displacement Crisis

With winter approaching, Riza stressed the need to properly house displaced people, saying that people can’t be left without shelter.

There are also concerns over a lack of housing, clean water, and sanitation, as well as the risk of disease outbreaks. Despite these challenges, Riza praised the close cooperation between the UN, international organizations, and partners.

Many agencies are responding, he asserted.

Riza rejected any claims of discrimination between displaced groups, noting that both Lebanese and Syrians are currently staying in UNRWA schools. He added that talks with the government about sheltering displaced Syrians have been positive.

Riza also expressed concern about the school year and children’s education.

Prolonged Conflict

The United Nations sees no immediate solution to the humanitarian and military crisis in Lebanon, with Riza stressing that the solution must be political and diplomatic, but first, a ceasefire is needed.

While there is little optimism for an end to the conflict, Riza said, the UN is encouraged by the support from its partners, which helps the organization assist the displaced.

He mentioned the recent evacuation of 1,000 people from Ain Ebel and aid distribution in Tyre, emphasizing the need to ensure that they reach those in need.

Riza called on all sides to respect international and humanitarian laws, allowing safe access for aid workers.

He condemned violations, including the deaths of firefighters, health workers, civil defense staff, and UN personnel, adding that the toll on civilian and health infrastructure is growing.