Forces Armées Togolaises

The Army was born of the "1st Togolese Infantry Battalion" in 1963. With the rise of the army taking an exponential turn, other regiments were created. These are:

• The First Togolese Infantry Regiment (1 ° RIT) on 1 January 1970;
• From the Paratrooper Commando Battalion (BCP) in Temaja on March 29, 1974, together with the Para Commando Training Center (CPIC) later replaced in 1977 by the Commando Paratrooper Regiment (CPP) and the Troop Training Center Airborne (CETAP);
• The Commando Regiment of the Presidential Guard (RCGP) on 1 January 1975;
• The Support and Support Regiment (RSA) on December 31, 1977;
• From the Second Interarms Regiment to Landja on 02 September 1980, it was called 2 ° RI. He was brought back to Témédja in 1983 and became interarms (2 ° RIA).

On 08 February 1988 the command decided to change the serial number of the regiments. Then the chronological order proceeded from Lomé to the interior of the country. The 3rd RIA of Adidogomé takes the name of 2 ° RIA and the 2 ° RIA of Témédja becomes 3 ° RIA;

• The Rapid Response Force (FIR) on 18 March 1986;
• From the 2 ° RIA on 08 February 1988 with a course almost similar to that of the 3 ° RIA. On 26 April 1994 this unit ceased to be inter-armed and took the name of 2 ° RI;
• The Fourth Inter-Army Regiment of Nioukpourma (4th RIA) created on 06 June 1989;
• The 1st Infantry Regiment (1 ° RI), which originated from the 1st Company of the 1st RIT which became the 1st Infantry Battalion at the time of the creation of the 1st RIT. It worked as an isolated battalion as well as the former 2nd Motorized Battalion. Fused on 1 January 1992, they formed the 1st RIA and ceased to be inter-armed on 20 April 1994. And later, the armored component now known as the Armored Regiment of Reconnaissance and Support (RBRA).

To these units are added schools and training centers.

ORBAT - 2015 1 x Rapid Intervention Bn 4 x combined arms regiments 1 x Presidential Guard regiment 1 x para-commando regiment 1 x support regiment 1 x armoured group

While Atakpame, Sokode and Dapaong were almost empty garrison towns, the picture shows Kara, the supposed stronghold of the deceased head of state, as the country's second largest military city with 20.27 percent of the military. In its surrounding villages there are the National Training Center, the Tchitchao Military College, The school of training of officers of the FAT of Pya (native village of the late President), Niamtougou Hunting Base, and especially the Commando Regiment of the Presidential Guard, known as the "Green Berets" and the paracommando Regiment called also "Red berets". These last two regiments, to which is added the formidable FIR (Force d'intervention rapide - rapid intervention force), based in Lomé, form the sinisterly famous "commandos de la mort".

The 2005 crisis stemmed primarily from the Togolese military's desire for self-preservation and perpetuation of benefits enjoyed during 38 years of Eyadema. The predominantly northern, ethnically Kabiye Togolese army was afraid that giving up power would expose them to revenge and endanger their personal safety and misbegotten wealth. When they took power, Gnassingbe and the military acted according to a prearranged game plan.

Any outbreak of violence would set Togo on a path of civil war. Neighboring countries considering invading Togo to oust the Gnassingbe junta would think again, given the potential for spurring more broad based violence. Togo could split along north-south lines. Civil war would make Togo a magnet for illegal arms smuggling in the region.

Following the increase in prices of petroleum products, a spontaneous demonstration took place on 28 February 2017 in Lomé, the capital of Togo. This demonstration was violently suppressed by the Togolese army, which did not hesitate to shoot real bullets, killing an activist and wounding several others. Eyewitnesses said the security forces, including the army, were wounded by sticks, cords, tear gas and live ammunition to disperse protesters. According to information obtained by Amnesty International, demonstrations were peaceful until the security forces used force to disperse the crowd. At least one bus and one car were reportedly burnt as part of the protests.

The government confirmed on the evening of February 28, the death of a person by bullet. Medical sources said several people were injured, including at least one shot. On the morning of March 1, army cars were still visible patrolling the streets of Lomé. In Togo, security forces regularly resort to excessive force in the face of peaceful demonstrators.

The French elements of Senegal carried out an operational training period from 6 to 14 April 2017 in favor of the Togolese Armed Forces in the field of combat firing and field artillery. Army, navy and air force gathered in Témédja soldiers from several of their units to participate in the operational training course aimed at improving the skills of small arms shooters in a threatening environment. After a theoretical training at the 3rd Infantry Regiment of Témédja, the Togolese soldiers participating in the training camp fired real shots with their weapons of endowment on the shooting field. For their part, the Togolese artillerymen, after a mechanization of the basic actions under the leadership of their French counterparts, carried out a particularly successful shooting campaign on the military ground of Akaba.

The regular interactions between the Togolese Armed Forces and the French Elements of Senegal aim at raising the level of achievement of military actions in the various fields of struggle, notably with a view to future common commitments in peace operations in Mali or elsewhere. They seal a little more each time the fraternity of arms between France and Togo.