Integrated security measures for the 20th Lomé International Fair

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Extract from the article: With the opening of its 20th edition fast approaching, the Lomé International Fair (FIL) is making security a top priority. Preparations, carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Security and Civil Protection, have resulted in the ...

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With the opening of its 20th edition fast approaching, the Lomé International Fair (FIL) is making security a top priority. Preparations, carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Security and Civil Protection, have resulted in the development of a comprehensive operational plan to ensure a peaceful and incident-free event. This commitment was reaffirmed during two strategic coordination meetings held at the Togolese Exhibition and Fair Center (CETEF Togo 2000) on November 20 and 24, 2025.

The November 20 meeting, chaired by Alexandre de Souza, Director General of CETEF Togo 2000, brought together all the key players. Alongside officers from the Ministry of Security (National Police, National Gendarmerie, and Fire Department), representatives from the Ministry of Health, teams from the Togolese Red Cross, the Golfe 2 City Hall, as well as specialized Abalo rescue units, rapid response teams for evacuations, and private security companies were in attendance.Four days later, on November 24, a status update provided an opportunity to present the operational plan. The Ministry of Security reaffirmed its determination to ensure a safe fair, free of any major incidents. The Director General of CETEF reiterated the absolute priority given to the safety of exhibitors and visitors at this year's event. Essential tasks Law enforcement agencies will ensure strict access control, visitor flow management, parking area regulation, and permanent surveillance patrols.The teams mobilized are also trained to manage a wide range of critical situations imposed by the regional security context and the expected crowds. This includes crowd movements, theft, stampedes, fires, or any terrorist threats. In addition to public units, private security guards will be deployed throughout the fairgrounds. Their role is to strengthen vigilance, ensure an increased presence, and optimize interventions in the field. This reinforcement ensures that public forces can focus on the most complex threats, while private agents provide general surveillance and manage minors incidents.

At the end of the discussions, the teams conducted a site visit involving a security simulation. This operation tested the response times of the various security personnel, inter-service coordination, and the effectiveness of evacuation routes. For CETEF Togo 2000, this approach reflects a desire to make this edition a benchmark where security and rigorous organization are inseparable.

Esther KOLANI