World’s Press writes Angolan president over slain Togolese journalist
The strongly worded letter was coming on the heel of the funeral of Togolese sports journalist Stanislas Ocloo, who was killed during an attack on the Togolese national football team’s bus as it crossed into Angola on its way to the Africa Cup of Nations tournament. Two other persons were killed in the attack while […]
The strongly worded letter was coming on the heel of the funeral of Togolese sports journalist Stanislas Ocloo, who was killed during an attack on the Togolese national football team’s bus as it crossed into Angola on its way to the Africa Cup of Nations tournament. Two other persons were killed in the attack while eight others were injured when gunmen opened fire on the bus. Two separatist groups have claimed responsibility for the attack.
The highly emotional funeral was attended by Togolese president Faure Gnassingbe. Family members broke into tears as Ocloo’s coffin alongside that of another Togolese official draped in the country’s national flag were lowered into the grave.
The world’s press blamed the tragedy on the Angolan authorities for failing to provide adequate protection for the journalist and other members of the Togolese team. “It is the duty of the state to provide an environment in which journalists are able to carry out their professional duties without fear of violence,” the global organisations said in the letter to Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos.
WAN-IFRA, the global organisation of the world’s newspapers and news publishers, represents 18,000 newspapers, 15,000 online sites and 3,000 companies in 120 countries. The IASN is the international organisation for the world¹s leading newspapers dedicated to sport, which defends and promotes the interests and freedom of the sports press. The WEF is the organisation within WAN-IFRA for Editors-in-chief and other senior newsroom personnel.
The letter to President dos Santos expressed grave concerns over the murder of the Togolese sports journalist.
“According to reports, on 8 January Mr Ocloo, who worked for the national broadcast Television Togolaise and the Togolese football association, was killed during an attack on the Togo national football team¹s bus in the northwestern enclave of Cabinda. At least one other person died and several were injured when gunmen opened fire on the bus shortly after it crossed into Cabinda from neighbouring Republic of Congo. On 11 January, two men were arrested on suspicion of involvement in the attack, responsibility for which has been claimed by two separatist groups.
“We respectfully remind you that it is the duty of the state to provide an environment in which journalists are able to carry out their professional duties without fear of violence.
“We respectfully call on you to ensure that a thorough investigation into the attack is carried out and that all possible steps are taken to ensure the safety of journalists covering the Africa Cup of Nations.”