Sanctions lifted against Togo
2005-03-11 13:56
Lagos - Nigeria, West Africa's military and diplomatic heavyweight, has lifted sanctions against Togo after its military-appointed ruler stepped down and promised elections, officials said Friday.
Nigeria ended a flight ban to Togo and the withdrawal of its ambassador there on Thursday, presidential spokesperson Remi Oyo said.
She said the move came in response to the resignation and balloting promise by Faure Gnassingbe, who stepped down two weeks ago under heavy international pressure.
Now, free and fair voting in elections scheduled for April 24 are "the minimum that Nigeria expects," Oyo said by phone from Nigeria's capital, Abuja, on Friday.
The military named Gnassingbe Togo's leader February 5, hours after the death of his father, Togo's 38-year strongman Gnassingbe Eyadema.
The African Union and a West African bloc, Ecowas, had also imposed sanctions before lifting them after Gnassingbe's resignation.
The military's appointment of Gnassingbe as president and the subsequent retroactive amendment of the constitution to legalise the move caused widespread outrage and deadly clashes between protesters and security forces.
After Gnassingbe's resignation, parliament met in a special session and named Deputy Speaker Bonfoh Abbass as interim president until an elected leader takes office.
Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, who is currently chairman of the African Union, was at the forefront of moves to reverse Gnassingbe's appointment.
- AP