Germans told to leave Togo

2005-04-30 11:05

Berlin/Lome - Germany's foreign office late on Friday urged all German citizens to leave its former colony, the West African country Togo, amidst unrest over recent elections.

Masked men attacked the German cultural centre Goethe Institute in the capital early on Friday, destroying the main library but causing no injuries. The attack came after the Togolese interior minister accused Germany of supporting the opposition.

The attack was carried out by armed youths and caused damages estimated at €300 000.

The United States has also called for all Americans to leave Togo, and withdrawn all but their essential diplomatic staff.

About 100 people have died in clashes since Sunday's parliamentary elections, according to opposition members. A Togolese human rights group estimated the number of dead at 40, according to French media reports, while the government put the number of dead at 22 and injured at 100 since Tuesday.

Earlier this week, the losing candidate in the poll, Emmanuel Bob-Akitani, declared himself the winner, defying the provisional results that gave a clear victory to ruling party candidate Faure Gnassingbe with 60% of the vote. The opposition claims that the ruling party committed fraud, and on Friday signalled their readiness to talk to international mediators to put an end to the clashes.

There were no injuries, according to a Goethe Institute spokesperson in Munich. The motive for the attack was not known.

German officials estimate there are 300 Germans living long term in the former German colony. - Sapa-dpa

- SAPA