Togo opposition gets on board
2005-03-03 10:37
Lome - Three Togolese opposition parties said on Wednesday they have decided to take part in the presidential election in Togo, which will be held to choose a successor to the country's longtime ruler who died last month.
The Union of Forces for Change (UFC), the Action Committee for Renewal (CAR) and the Democratic Convention of the African People (CDPA) had threatened to boycott the election if complete constitutional legality was not restored.
"We have decided to take part in the next presidential elections, although there are still a number of things to do, especially the revision of the electoral lists," said Emmanuel Bob Akitani, first vice-president of the UFC.
A political crisis erupted in Togo after the death of autocrat Gnassingbe Eyadema on February 5 and the seizing of power by his son Faure Gnassingbe with the backing of the military and a loyalist congress.
Bowing to pressure from African leaders, Gnassingbe stepped down and announced that he would be the presidential candidate of the Rally for the Togolese People, the ruling party established by his father.
The 15-nation Economic Community of West African States, which is among the organisations that plan to monitor the Togolese poll, said it hoped elections would take place "at the earliest" on April 24 to allow enough time to prepare for the vote.
Ecowas said in a statement that the 60-days by which the Togolese constitution says an election must be held starts on February 26 when Abass Bonfoh took over as interim president. - AFP
- SAPA