In Lomé, all opposition parties held a press conference on Thursday April 11 at the headquarters of the National Alliance for Change, after the announcement of the legislative elections on April 29. Because the opposition is up against the new Togolese constitution, against which it planned to demonstrate on Saturday April 12 and Sunday April 13. But the authorities banned the demonstrations. The opposition seems ready to participate in the legislative elections despite everything.
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The press conference was held for a clarification consisting of denying the remarks of the Minister of Territorial Administration. On Monday April 8, he cited risks to public order and authorization deadlines not respected by the opposition. This would, according to him, justify the ban on demonstrations.
These arguments were contested on Thursday April 11 in the morning by members of Jean-Pierre Fabre’s National Alliance for Change (ANC), members of FDR, Addi or the PSR. So many opposition parties therefore maintain their call to demonstrate against the new Togolese constitutionas Wolou Komi of the Socialist Pact for Renewal explains:
In reality, there are no other words than to say that this is a real coup d’état, a coup d’état which is being organized in our country by the Assembly national with the blessing of the Head of State. And faced with this coup d’état, we can only protest and demonstrate. So our demonstrations of 12 and 13 fall within the framework, I would say, of a constitutional duty to resist a coup d’état, a constitutional coup d’état, which is even more pernicious than a coup d’état military. You understand why we are continuing the demonstrations on the 12th and 13th.
Professor Komi Wolou, president of the Socialist Party for Renewal, explains the reasons behind the call to demonstrate against the new constitution in Togo
An opposition participating in the majority of the vote
In addition to the call to demonstrate, the entire opposition announced that it would participate in the legislative elections of April 29 – with the exception of Nathaniel Olympio’s PT.
This consultation of the electorate, here too, is the subject of criticism, since the ANC of Jean Pierre Fabre, for example, denounced the displayed contempt for power. According to him, this would prevent the opposition from properly organizing to campaign.
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Release of six opponents arrested during a distribution of leaflets against the new constitution
These announcements and positions took place while, on Tuesday evening, April 9, six opponents imprisoned since April 5 for disturbing public order were released. Their relatives gave the information the next day, Wednesday.
In total, nine members of the DMK coalition – which brings together opposition parties and civil society – were arrested while they distributed leaflets on the illegality of the revision of the constitution. Three incarcerated people had already been released. Me Elom Kpade, lawyer for the six opponents released on Tuesday, welcomes this decision.
Maître Elom Kpade, lawyer for the six opponents released on Tuesday, welcomes the decision of the Togolese justice system
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