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Press Release > WACSOFPress Release
Abuja, 9th February 2005
WACSOF CONDEMNS
THE UNCONSTITUTIONAL USURPATION OF POWER IN TOGO AND
CALLS FOR PEACEFUL CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE.
The West African Civil Society Forum
(WACSOF) acknowledges and continues to monitor, with
grave concern, the rapidly evolving political and military
situation in the Republic of Togo after the sudden death
of President Gnassingbe Eyadema.
In line with the positions expressed
by the current Chairman of the African Union and President
of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo;
the President of the African Union Commission, Mr. Alpha
Oumar Konare and the current Chairman of ECOWAS and
President of the Republic of Niger, Mr. Mamadou Tandja,
WACSOF vehemently condemns the state of affairs that
has culminated in unconstitutional usurpation of power
in Togo and calls for an immediate and unconditional
return to legality and constitutional order in that
impoverished nation. The provisions of the constitution
regarding succession must be respected and strictly
adhered to. In consonance with the appeal by ECOWAS,
WACSOF is of the view that immediate transition to power
through constitutional means is the surest way to preserving
the integrity of the nation.
The unfortunate and unraveling events
that have led to the swearing in of the son of the late
president as the new head of state and manipulation
of sections of the Togolese constitution to reinforce
illegality constitute a flagrant abuse of the dignity
and integrity of the Togolese people and cannot and
should not be tolerated. These acts are also in contravention
of the ECOWAS Declaration of Political Principles of
1991, the 2001 Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and
Good Governance, the Algiers Declaration of 1999 and
Articles 4 (p) and 30 of the Constitutive Act of the
African Union of 2002. As we continue our struggle to
spread democracy and civil liberties, and promote peace
and security in the ECOWAS sub-region, it is incumbent
upon the entire membership of WACSOF to fight for the
immediate restoration of democratic freedom and constitutionality
in the Republic of Togo.
Accordingly, WACSOF demands the following:
- Categorical condemnation of the current state of
political affairs in Togo during the Extraordinary
Summit of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government scheduled
for Wednesday 9th February 2005, and reaffirmation
of use of political, diplomatic and, if necessary,
sanctions to restore constitutional rule and order
in Togo, and to avert a situation that could constitute
a threat to regional peace and security in West Africa.
- The Extraordinary ECOWAS Summit must claim the
nullification of all steps undertaken since the death
of Eyadema to legalise illegality and to demand the
immediate return to the constitutional rule.
- Non-violent civil action throughout the sub-region
aimed at restoring the rule of law, human rights,
constitutionality, democratic freedom and governance
in Togo.
- . Staging of non-violent civil demonstrations in
front of all Togolese diplomatic and consular offices
throughout the sub-region on Monday 14th February
2005 at 10.00 am prompt. A press conference should
be summoned after each of these demonstrations.
WACSOF shall continue to monitor developments in Togo
closely, and as the situation unfolds, we shall be
communicating with you accordingly.
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