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Travel.State.Gov > International Parental Child Abduction > Country Information > Togo International Parental Child Abduction Information

International Parental Child Abduction

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Travel.State.Gov > International Parental Child Abduction > Country Information > Togo International Parental Child Abduction Information

Togo

Togo
Togolese Republic
Exercise Increased Caution in Togo. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Updated to reflect Travel Advisory Level Change from 1 to a 2 due to Terrorism, Crime, Civil Unrest, and Kidnapping.

Exercise Increased Caution in Togo. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Country Summary: Criminals and terrorist groups are active in Togo, particularly in areas bordering Burkina Faso and Northern Benin. Attacks in these areas can occur with little or no warning, and could target shops, markets, hotels, places of worship, restaurants, bars, schools, government buildings, transportation hubs, and other places where crowds gather. Violent attacks are far more likely in the northern areas of Togo than in the southern and coastal areas.

Crimes such as robbery and assault occur in Togo. These crimes often happen at night and in isolated locations.  Crime occurs more frequently in urban areas, near the beach, and in crowded markets.

Small protests have occurred in urban areas. Police have used tear gas to disperse protests that caused traffic disruptions in city centers and along National Route 1, and they have arrested protesters. Security forces have used force to disperse crowds and authorities have cut internet and cell services.

Do Not Travel to:

  • Northern border region adjacent to Burkina Faso due to potential for terrorism and kidnapping.
  • Areas north of Kande due to potential for terrorism.

Read the country information page for additional information about travel to Togo.

If you decide to travel to Togo:

  • Keep a low profile.
  • Be aware of your surroundings.
  • Stay alert in locations frequented by Westerners.
  • Be extra vigilant when visiting banks or ATMs.
  • Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
  • Do not display signs of wealth, such as expensive watches or jewelry.
  • Avoid demonstrations and crowds.
  • Monitor local media for breaking events and be prepared to adjust your plans.
  • Keep travel documents up to date and easily accessible.
  • Have evacuation plans that do not rely on U.S. government assistance.
  • Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
  • Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
  • Follow the U.S. Embassy in Togo on Facebook and Twitter.
  • Review the Country Security Report for Togo.
  • Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations.  Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
  • Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.

Northern Border Region – Level 4: Do Not Travel
Extremist groups have carried out attacks, including kidnappings, in the northern border region of Togo, the adjacent areas of Burkina Faso, and Benin. Attacks may occur with little or no warning. The current travel policy for embassy personnel prohibits travel north of the town of Dapaong and Highway N24 or Highway N28, along with the district of Kpendjal and Kpendjal-Ouest without special authorization. Embassy personnel may not remain overnight in areas north of Mango. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in these areas. Due to security incidents, the Savanes region is under a Government of Togo state of emergency, and non-Togolese travelers must obtain special authorization to travel in the Savanes.

North of Kande – Level 4: Do Not Travel
Extremist groups have carried out attacks in nearby areas of Benin. Attacks may occur with little or no warning.

... [READ MORE]

Hague Convention Participation

Party to the Hague Abduction Convention?
No
U.S. Treaty Partner under the Hague Abduction Convention?
No
Learn why the Hague Abduction Convention Matters.

What You Can Do

Learn how to respond to abductions FROM the US
Learn how to respond to abductions TO the US
ALL / ALL /

U.S. Embassy Lomé

4332 Boulevard Eyadema,
Cité OUA, B.P.852
Lomé, Togo
Telephone: +(228) 22-61-54-70
Emergency After-Hours Telephone:+(228) 22-61-54-70
Fax: +(228) 22-61-54-99

For information concerning travel to Togo, including information about the location of the U.S. Embassy, the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, entry/exit requirements, safety and security, crime, medical facilities and health information, traffic safety, road conditions and aviation safety, please see country-specific information for Togo.

The U.S. Department of State reports statistics and compliance information for individual countries in the Annual Report on International Child Abduction. The report is located here.

Togo is not a signatory to the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (Hague Abduction Convention), nor are there any bilateral agreements in force between Togo and the United States concerning international parental child abduction.

Legal systems and laws pertaining to custody, divorce, and parental abduction vary widely from country to country.  Parents are encouraged to consult with an attorney who specializes in family law in Togo and who can provide accurate legal guidance that is specific to their circumstances. 

The Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, Directorate for Overseas Citizens Services, Office of Children’s Issues provides assistance in cases of international parental child abduction.  For U.S. citizen parents whose children have been wrongfully removed to or retained in countries that are not U.S. partners under the Hague Abduction Convention, the Office of Children’s Issues can provide information and resources about country-specific options for pursuing the return of or access to an abducted child.  The Office of Children’s Issues may also coordinate with appropriate foreign and U.S. government authorities about the welfare of abducted U.S. citizen children.  Parents are strongly encouraged to contact the Department of State for assistance.

Contact information:

Bureau of Consular Affairs
Office of Children's
CA/OCS/CI
SA-17, 9th Floor
Washington, DC 20522-1709
Telephone:  1-888-407-4747
Outside the United States or Canada: 1-202-501-4444
Website: ChildAbduction.state.gov
Email: AfricaIPCA@state.gov

Parental child abduction is a crime in Togo. 

Parents may wish to consult with an attorney in the United States and in the country to which the child has been removed or retained to learn more about how filing criminal charges may impact a custody case in the foreign court.  Please see Possible Solutions - Pressing Criminal Charges for more information. 

Legal systems and laws pertaining to custody, divorce, and parental abduction vary widely from country to country.  Parents are encouraged to consult with an attorney who specializes in family law in Togo and who can provide accurate legal guidance that is specific to their circumstances.

The Office of Children’s Issues may be able to assist parents seeking access to children who have been wrongfully removed from or retained outside the United States.   Parents who are seeking access to children who were not wrongfully removed from or retained outside the United States should contact the appropriate U.S. Embassy in Togo for information and possible assistance.

Neither the Office of Children’s Issues nor consular officials at the U.S. Embassy in Togo are authorized to provide legal advice.

The U.S. Embassy in Lome, Togo posts list of attorneys, including those who specialize in family law.

This list is provided as a courtesy service only and does not constitute an endorsement of any individual attorney. The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the persons or firms included in this list. Professional credentials and areas of expertise are provided directly by the lawyers.

Matrimonial judges, or the Court of the Child, provide mediation services for married and unmarried parents, respectively.

Exercising Custody Rights

While travelling in a foreign country, you are subject to the laws of that country. It is important for parents to understand that, although a left-behind parent in the United States may have custody or visitation rights pursuant to a U.S. custody order, that order may not be valid and enforceable in the country in which the child is located.  For this reason, we strongly encourage you to speak to a local attorney if planning to remove a child from a foreign country without the consent of the other parent.  Attempts to remove your child to the United States may:

  • Endanger your child and others;
  • Prejudice any future judicial efforts; and
  • Could result in your arrest and imprisonment.

The U.S. government cannot interfere with another country’s court or law enforcement system.

To understand the legal effect of a U.S. order in a foreign country, a parent should consult with a local attorney in the country in which the child is located.  

For information about hiring an attorney abroad, see our section on Retaining a Foreign Attorney. 

Although we cannot recommend an attorney to you, most U.S. Embassies have lists of attorneys available online. Please visit the local U.S. Embassy or Consulate website for a full listing.

For more information on consular assistance for U.S. citizens arrested abroad, please see our website.

Country officers are available to speak with you Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.  For assistance with an abduction in progress or any emergency situation that occurs after normal business hours, on weekends, or federal holidays, please call toll free at 1-888-407-4747. See all contact information.

DISCLAIMER: The information in this flyer is provided for general information only, is not intended to be legal advice, and may change without notice. Questions involving interpretation of law should be addressed to an attorney licensed in the relevant jurisdiction. 

 

Last Updated: March 31, 2021

Assistance for U.S. Citizens

U.S. Embassy Lomé
4332 Boulevard Eyadema,
Cité OUA, B.P.852
Lomé, Togo
Telephone
+(228) 22-61-54-70
Emergency
+(228) 22-61-54-70
Fax
+(228) 22-61-54-99
Email
Consularlome@state.gov
Website
https://tg.usembassy.gov/embassy/lome/

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