Togo crisis: CSO urge Buhari, ECOWAS to sanction officials

The Togolese Civil League (TCL) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to urgently intervene in the ongoing political crisis in Togo to avoid regional turmoil and instability. The TCL Executive Director, Miss Farida Bemba Nabourema, told newsmen on Friday in Abuja that Nigeria must exercise its influence […]

The Togolese Civil League (TCL) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to urgently intervene in the ongoing political crisis in Togo to avoid regional turmoil and instability.

The TCL Executive Director, Miss Farida Bemba Nabourema, told newsmen on Friday in Abuja that Nigeria must exercise its influence as a regional power to insist that the Togolese government respond to the will of the people.

She urged ECOWAS to consider economic sanctions and targeted restrictions against Togolese officials due to their ongoing violation of human rights and violence against the people.

“Since August 19, 2017, the republic of Togo is experiencing an unprecedented socio-political crisis marked by street protests, strikes and a slowdown in economic activities. In the aftermath of the violent government response to these protests, dozens of people lost their lives, hundreds were injured or thrown in jail and many more are displaced.

“The Togolese government led by Faure Gnassingbé has organized a methodical campaign to shut down its opposition, reduce freedom of expression and silence the civil society. Nevertheless, the people of Togo continue to relentlessly protest the government and are demanding political reforms that can lead to a democratic political transition,” Nabourema said.

She said that a sustained political crisis in Togo is a factor of instability in the regions as there are currently hundreds of displaced Togolese in Ghana due to the recent government repressions.

She noted that Togo constitute a peculiar example of government in the region as it is reminiscent of the 1980s where the rule of law across the region is a factor of integration and peace, both essential to create a serene climate for business.

“Unlike all the other countries in West Africa, Togo has yet to experience a democratic transition. The country has been under the rule of the Gnassingbé family since 1967. The absence of term limits and the total control of the government over the judicial and electoral systems have virtually made any transfer of power impossible,” she said.

On the reasons for the protests, she said that in October 1992, following a referendum, the people approved a new constitution by over 97 percent of the votes, which ushered in a new republic that was supposed to end 25 years of military rule by the late Gnassingbé Eyadéma.

She said, “Unfortunately, through political maneuvering and violent repression, Eyadéma and its ruling party managed to modify the constitution in 2002. The session of the National Assembly modifying the constitution was solely composed on members of the ruling party.

“These modifications removed terms limits and instituted a single round ballot along with giving more power to the president and weakening the legislative and the judiciary.

“In 2007, Faure Gnassingbé, who succeeded his deceased father through a bloody ascent to power, entered into an agreement with the opposition parties to conduct a set of political reforms including terms limits. Ten years after the agreement, the promises were never fulfilled. Therefore, the people of Togo are now on the streets demanding simply the reinstatement of the original 1992 constitution that was unilaterally modified.”