Until this year, Togo had been spared the frequent Islamist violence that has spread across most of West Africa over the past decade, including into Togo's northern neighbour Burkina Faso. But a series of attacks, including one in July in which at least 12 people were killed, has forced residents to flee and rattled the armed forces.
The Chief of Staff of the Togolese Armed Forces, Brigadier General Dadja Maganawé, has been replaced by Air Brigadier General Tassounti Djato.