Togo has been seriously resuming political violence since the launch of the electoral census on 1 October 2018. The coalition of 14 opposition political parties, also known as C14 are said to be in disagreement with the conditions for the launch of the electoral census which led to a boycott campaign.
It was during this campaign, especially in zone 2 between Atakpamé and Cinkassé, that many C14 activists, including Mr Passou Essowe of the ANC and Mr Kpeglo Kokou of the PNP, were attacked by the persons purported to be supporters of the ruling government. The Federal President of the ANC, Mr Kazoh Passou was seriously molested with a fractured fibula and is currently thought to be receiving medical attention at the intensive care unit. For his part, Mr Kpeglo Kokou had to flee to escape despite his injuries.
The situation that has prevailed in Sokodé since the 24th of October 2018 with the vandalism at the headquarters of the PNP by repainting the latter’s offices with whites paint overnight orchestrated by unidentified individuals and the fire which was witnessed at the governing party, UNIR headquarters in Sokodé on the night of Friday 26 to Saturday 27 October have not improved the political tensions in Togo.
The Security Minister, Yark Damehame announced after the fire that, the government was actively looking for the perpetrators of the presidential party fires. Curiously, several opposition activists in general and the PNP in particular have already been investigated and remains under the watch of the police in Togo.
This situation is reminiscent of the case of involving former ANC activist Assion Poovi, which happened in 2015. Recognized as very involved in the distribution of leaflets and demonstrating in defense of the victory of the leader of her party, Jean Pierre Fabre in the presidential elections of April 2015. Assion Poovi has been subjected to humiliation and threats. She even escaped a kidnapping attempt which is alleged to have been sanctioned by the ruling government forces. To save her life, she also had to flee the country. Although in forced exile, her home in Kangnikopé, east of Lomé, where she was a member as her party’s polling agent in 2015 the home continues to receive suspicious visits. How long will it last?
Clearly, the ECOWASs community considers the situation in Togo as unacceptable, but not enough has been done to restore confidence and bring justice to the opposition members. The Togolese government continues to use the largesse of the security forces to intimidate any group or persons who speaks against the government. This situation is unfortunate and must be condemned.
The government of Ghana must show leadership in arresting this unfortunate situation creeping up within Ghana’s borders. Besides that, many citizens of Ghana have relation in Togo and it is important, ECOWAS step up her game to ensure political stability is restored in Togo.
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Source: Ghanamatters.com | Ghana
