Togo protests continue
2005-04-12 11:31
Lome - Hundreds of opposition supporters poured into the streets in ongoing protests to demand a revision of allegedly rigged voters lists for elections to replace Togo's military ruler of 38 years, with one leader warning a failed election could affect all of West Africa.
"The old order must change and give way to the new," yelled people among the crowd of about 2 000 people on Monday, following leaders of a six-party opposition coalition through the main streets of the West African nation. The coalition has been demanding a postponement of elections scheduled in 13 days.
"We will not take part in elections that will not be fair, free, just and equitable," said Jean-Pierre Fabre, secretary-general of the Union of Forces of Change, the country's biggest opposition party.
Coalition co-ordinator Yawovi Agboyibo indicated Togo was a test in a war-battered region. Guinea-Bissau, Liberia and Ivory Coast all have upcoming elections scheduled to overcome years of civil and tribal wars rooted in greed for power to control natural resources like oil, diamonds and timber.
"If political catastrophe happens, the consequences will be heavy for the stability and development of Togo and the subregion," Agboyibo said.
It was imperative that international organisations such as the United Nations, the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States intervene to "save the electoral crisis in Togo, which is already dramatic, from getting out of hand."
The opposition says the ruling party of General Gnassingbe Eyadema, who died of a heart attack in February after 38 years of rule, has padded voters rolls with names of fictitious and dead voters.
The government denies the charges and says the opposition fears defeat at elections.
When Gnassingbe died, Togo's military tried to install his son as president. An international outcry and domestic protests forced Faure Gnassingbe to step down.
But he is contesting elections, strengthened by the power of a ruling party machinery that the opposition claims is top-heavy with militant loyalists. - AP
- SAPA