Togo crisis: Ecowas outraged
2005-04-29 20:44
Abuja - The west African regional bloc Ecowas on Friday condemned a firebomb attack on a German cultural centre carried out overnight by unidentified gunmen in the Togolese capital Lome.
Political unrest erupted in Togo in the wake of Sunday's disputed presidential election, and unidentified assailants burned down the Togolese capital's Goethe Institute following bitter criticism of Germany by government supporters.
"The Economic Community of West African States strongly condemns this act of lawlessness and hostility against a friendly and active partner of Togo and Ecowas," said a statement released by the 15-nation grouping in Abuja.
Supporters of Togolese president elect Faure Gnassingbe have criticised Germany, accusing it of meddling in the crisis after its embassy gave sanctuary to Togo's sacked interior minister, Francois Esso Boko.
Meanwhile opposition supporters focused their ire on Ecowas itself and citizens from other west African countries after the grouping's election monitors endorsed Sunday's election as having met international standards.
- AFP