CPP commends President for mediation efforts in Togo
The Convention Peoples’ Party (CPP) has commended President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo for providing subregional leadership to mediate in the protracted socio-political unrest in Togo.
President Akufo-Addo was in Togo to hold talks with all relevant stakeholders, including; President Faure Gnassingbe and leaders of the main opposition political parties in the ongoing crisis in that country.
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Ticking time bomb
The commendation by the National Chairman and Leader of the CPP, Professor Edmund Nminyem Delle, noted that the crisis in Togo was a ticking time bomb.
He said “if ECOWAS, and for that matter Ghana, fail to intervene, it will explode to disrupt the relative political stability the sub-region is experiencing”.
Series of protest
Togo in recent times has witnessed series of protests by opposition parties that are calling for a return to the country's constitution which imposes limits on presidential terms.
It will be recalled that in August 2017, Prof. Delle appealed to the International Community to pay attention to developments in Togo, stressing that, “It could have been worse and could get worse if the international community fails to immediately intervene”.
Renewed call
The CPP chairman, while commending Ghana and President Akufo-Addo for the mediation efforts, renewed the call to ECOWAS, African Union( AU) and the International Community to assist Togo to resolve its political upheaval.
The CPP leader suggested the creation of a platform for all political leaders, civil society organisations, the media, religious, and traditional leaders, as well as democratic stakeholders in Togo to dialogue.
Avoid unbridled protest
Prof. Delle noted that even though demonstrations formed part of a political weapon in a democratic process, “democratic forces must avoid unbridled protest and violent pronouncements which most often ignites hostilities leading to the loss of precious lives, destruction of property and general insecurity.
“We must reduce the tendency of using violent means to resolve political problems or the heavy arm of the state security to deal with political opponents and suppress divergent views in a democratic environment”.
The CPP chairman also appealed to President Gnassingbe and the leader of the main opposition, Mr Tikpi Atchadam of the PNP party, to work together for the interest of Togo and strengthen the Togolese democratic development.
Background
Thousands of Togolese nationals since last August have organised demonstrations in cities around the world, including north of the capital Lome, where it turned deadly after clashes with security forces.
The demonstrations, tagged: “Anti-Gnassingbe Dynasty Protests,” was organised by the opposition Pan African National Party (PNP) simultaneously in Accra, Libreville, New York, and Berlin demanding the reinstatement of the Togolese 1992 Constitution which limits the term limit of the President.
The 1992 Constitution of Togo, which stipulates a two five-year term limit for a President was set aside by the Togolese Parliament to allow President Gnassingbe to contest election for a third term in 2015.
Besides the reinstatement of the constitution, the leader of the PNP, Mr Tikpi Atchadam, told the media that they wanted to immediately end the Gnassingbe dynasty which had ruled Togo for 50 years “from father to son. It’s like a family property and we are ready to resist that this time”.
President Faure Gnassingbe has been in power since the death of his father Gnassingbe Eyadema in 2005.
