French Minister's Togo Visit Amid Media Suspension Tensions
French minister visits Togo for first time since 2002, seeks end to media suspension.
Event / Geopolitics
UN Slavery Resolution Diplomacy
France abstained from a UN resolution declaring the transatlantic slave trade and racialized slavery as grave crimes against humanity, adopted in March 2026 with 123 votes in favor. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot visited Togo in April 2026 to explain France's position on the resolution and address bilateral tensions.
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2026-08-18 to 2026-11-15 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 25 Apr, 06:36 UTC
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What happened
France abstains from UN vote on African slave trade resolution
France abstained on the UN resolution declaring the African slave trade a grave crime against humanity. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated that France refused to create a hierarchy between crimes against humanity or put suffering into competition, though he acknowledged the necessity of truth and memory work regarding France's colonial past.
Togo suspends France 24 and RFI broadcasts
Togo suspended the broadcasting of France 24 and Radio France Internationale (RFI) in June 2025 for three months, accusing the media outlets of reporting inaccurate and biased comments about anti-government demonstrations in the capital. The suspension remains in effect as of April 2026.
UN resolution declares African slave trade a grave crime against humanity
The United Nations adopted a resolution in late March 2026 with 123 votes in favor, 3 against (United States, Israel, Argentina), and 52 abstentions (including the United Kingdom and EU member states). The resolution declares the transatlantic slave trade and racialized slavery of Africans as grave crimes against humanity. The resolution was sponsored by Ghanaian President John Mahama and calls for states to engage in a justice process to repair historical wrongs, including formal apologies, compensation for descendants of victims, anti-racism policies, and restitution of looted cultural and spiritual property.
French minister advocates for lifting Togo media suspension
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot advocated for the rapid lifting of Togo's suspension of France 24 and Radio France Internationale broadcasts, stating it is in the interest of all parties involved.
French Foreign Minister visits Togo for first ministerial visit since 2002
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot conducted a two-day official visit to Togo, meeting with Togolese leader Faure Gnassingbé and Foreign Minister Robert Dussey. This was the first visit by a French Foreign Minister to the country since 2002.
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2 alternative perspectives
UN Resolution Condemns African Slave Trade as Crime Against Humanity
UN resolution declares African slave trade a crime against humanity; France abstains.