After six months of heavy silence, the outcome is finally happy. Hamdane Baba Wattara , a 25-year-old Togolese student who had disappeared for almost six months, was located on Saturday, May 9, 2026. Enrolled in a Master's program in mechanical engineering at the University of Lille, the young man had not been in contact with his family, triggering a wave of emotion and solidarity.

A decisive digital mobilization

The alert was officially launched a few days ago by the High Council of Togolese Abroad (HTCE) . Faced with the prolonged absence of news of the student, who had been living in Villeneuve-d'Ascq since his arrival in France in 2021, a massive search notice flooded social media.

The collective effort has paid off:

1. Responsiveness: The Togolese community and supportive citizens relayed the information on a large scale.
2. Location: Thanks to these reports, the student was found safe and sound last Saturday.
3. Recognition: In a statement published on May 10, HTCE-France praised a "remarkable mobilization" and thanked the Togolese embassy for its involvement.

"Your sharing, your responsiveness and your solidarity were crucial," the organization emphasized.

Respect for privacy above all

While there is widespread relief, the authorities and the HTCE remain tight-lipped about the reasons for this prolonged disappearance. Invoking the right to privacy, the organization is now asking for:

1. The immediate cessation of sharing the wanted notice.
2. The removal of previous posts to protect the young man and his family during this reunion period.

A reminder of the vulnerability of international students

This case highlights the loneliness and challenges faced by international students. With over 400,000 African students enrolled in France for the 2024-2025 academic year, the issue of isolation remains a major concern.

Student associations regularly remind us that the pressure of exams, administrative difficulties, and being away from family can create situations of profound distress. The case of Hamdane Baba Wattara has a happy ending, but it underscores the vital importance of community support networks.