** Please visit our website: http://www.africanassociation.org **
Yes indeed, the upcoming elections in Togo, remain an unfinished
business . There's urgency on the part of democratic proponents the
worldover to assure that the promised elections in TOGO are free and
fair and not simply a masquerade. To avoid the unpleasant outcome of
rigged elections(which I am sure is the game-plan of the Gnissingue
click working relently at present), the AU, EU, ECOWAS and UN would do
well to send competent and honest election observers to the country
months ahead of time to monitor not just the polls but the entire
pre-election period. Benefiting from hindsight, it is unquestionable
that electoral gerrymandering begins way ahead of election day. Issues
such as equitable airtime at the disposal of contesting parties,
transparent ballot boxes, prevention of ghost ballot stations, inflated
ballot tallies, stuffed ballot boxes and many more of such fraudulent
contraptions should be taken care of months before the day of election.
Anything short of this would be tantamount to a sham.
PETER VAKUNTA
----- Original Message -----
From: e3ryarl <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Saturday, February 26, 2005 2:04 pm
Subject: Togo's Faure surrenders Presidency
> ** Please visit our website: http://www.africanassociation.org **
>
> Hello, Friends.
>
> This outcome proves that there is power
> in number. With ECOWAS, AU, EU and the
> United States speaking with one voice
> in their protest against Faure and his
> gangsters, there was no doubt that the
> outcome would be as pleasant and close
> as it is. May the Togolese, Africa and
> the world coomunity sigh an air of relief
> and now turn to the 'memories' of the late
> Gnassingbe Eyadema.
>
> However, the pending elections remains
> an an unfinished business that needs to be
> closely monitored for transparency and
> legitimacy.
>
> Meanwhile, Wilmot, thanks so much for sharing
> Reuter's version to this useful and joyous
> information/update.
>
> Cheers and victory to the voice of 'the people'.
>
> Richard
> <><><><>=====================================>
>
> BBC UPDATE: Saturday, 26 February, 2005, 10:24 GMT
>
> West Africans lift Togo sanctions
>
> The West African regional grouping Ecowas says it is lifting
> sanctions against Togo with immediate effect. The move follows the
> announcement by Togolese leader Faure Gnassingbe that he is
> stepping down after increasing international pressure.
>
> Mr Faure was installed three weeks ago as president by the
> military, immediately after the death of his father, Gnassingbe
> Eyadema. He will be replaced on an acting basis by parliament
> speaker Abass Bonfoh.
>
> Faure Gnassingbe said he wanted to ensure the transparency of the
> election now due in April, in which he plans to stand as a candidate.
>
> The UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, also welcomed Mr Faure's
> decision.
> 'Borrowed robes'
>
> A spokeswoman for Nigerian President Olesegun Obasanjo, who chairs
> the African Union, described Mr Faure's decision as a "victory for
> democracy".
> "What happened in Togo was a coup d'etat dressed in the borrowed
> robes of democracy and we are glad that Faure Gnassingbe has
> finally realised the folly of what happened," Remi Oyo said, quoted
> by AFP news agency. "For so long Africa has had a bad image. This
> is eloquest testimony that Africa can create solutions to its own
> problems," she added.
>
> The UN and African Union imposed sanctions on Togo after Mr Faure
> was installed as president by the army hours after the death of his
> father earlier this month.
>
> Although he promised elections within 60 days, as stipulated by the
> constitution, this did little to quell protests from African
> neighbours and beyond.
>
> Constitutional amendments swiftly introduced to legitimise Mr
> Faure's appointment have since been partly reversed.
>
> Late on Friday, the country's ruling party nominated Mr Faure as
> its new candidate for the presidential election.
>
> Earlier this week, he visited Gabon and then Libya, for a meeting
> with President Muammar Gaddafi.
>
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