|
You are here:
PolitInfo.com > News & Articles >
Foreigners Targeted in Togo's Post-Election Violence
Apr 29, 2005 Lome
The disputed election results in Togo have unleashed anti-foreigner sentiments, mainly among the opposition, against nationals from the former colonial power France. But the government and its supporters are also turning against foreign targets, including most recently the German cultural center.
As opposition militants clean up debris from their riot-torn neighborhoods, approaching foreign journalists elicit renewed anger.
Asked to explain, one of them says France has been behind Togo's problems since the late ruler Gnassingbe Eyadema took power in 1967 in a coup.
Another protester says "shame to France" and "shame to ECOWAS." He was referring to the West African grouping that helped organize Sunday's elections from which Mr. Eyadema's son, Faure Gnassingbe, emerged as the winner. The announcement of the results Tuesday sparked deadly protests along the southern beachfront coast.
The Interior Ministry says among those killed were nine nationals from Niger, which currently holds the ECOWAS rotating presidency. But Niger's foreign ministry has denied any witch-hunt against its nationals, and says just one Nigerien was killed.
The election results, deemed unfair by the opposition, also led to the burning and looting of French, Lebanese and Chinese businesses and homes.
This woman, who fled similar violence in nearby Ivory Coast recently, says her guard and neighbors rescued her and she was then taken by the military to a safe hotel.
A rescued Frenchman at the same hotel says he understands the anger, but he says it's misplaced. He says he is a simple schoolteacher working in his words "with everyone for everyone."
Nicolas Lawson, an opposition candidate who pulled out of Sunday's election because he says he foresaw massive fraud, says France's tacit support of undemocratic leaders in its former colonies will lead to social unrest and civil wars throughout the region, much as it already did in divided Ivory Coast.
"The whole countries are going to turn into violence because of the attitude of France, taking position each time wrongly and being on the wrong side and not helping with democracy. We are fed up with this and it's why you see the youth, they are angry against France and there's going to be a revolution one day against the position of France in Africa," he said.
France's Foreign Minister Michel Barnier initially said the French government was "satisfied" with the conduct of Sunday's election, but that caused anger among opposition leaders who believe the elections were rigged.
Speaking later in the week, Mr. Barnier said he never commented on the results of the balloting. He said France has not and will not interfere in Togolese affairs.
Another former colonial power, Germany, had its cultural center, Lome's Goethe Institute, burned down by masked men early Friday, after comments from Togolese officials that the German government was backing the opposition. The former interior minister, Francois Boko, who warned of post-election violence before being replaced just one day before voting, has been sheltered at the German embassy since his comments.
Germany has demanded an investigation.
Meanwhile, Togo's communications ministry criticized foreign journalists on state news Thursday, saying they were irresponsible and caused violence.
That comment followed the airing of dramatic television footage on French and African television showing Togolese soldiers stealing ballot boxes at a polling center in a Lome opposition stronghold just as vote counting began.
The tape was aired only after the cameraman had arrived safely back in France.
This article uses material from VOA.
Related Articles:
- Togolese Flee Election Violence in South
Several thousand Togolese are fleeing the capital, Lome, and southern towns along the coast, following four days of deadly violence in the wake of controversial elections.
- Togolese Human Rights Official Calls for ECOWAS Mediation
Several thousand Togolese are fleeing the capital, Lome, and southern towns along the coast, following two days of deadly violence that killed at least 20 people and injured more than 100.
- Togo Authorities Call for Crackdown on Violent Protesters
Togo's interim government warns that security forces will detain all those acting illegally in the wake of increasing violence following controversial elections Sunday.
- Togo Poll Chaos Spreads, Hundreds Flee, Opposition Leader Declares Himself Pr...
Hundreds of people fled Togo in fear of their lives on Wednesday as deadly street battles between opposition protesters and security forces raged for a second straight day after the son of the late long-ruling ruler was declared winner of a disputed election.
- Togo's Capital Under Siege By Militants, Army
Togo's controversially elected president, Faure Gnassingbe, the son of the country's late leader, is trying to organize a national unity government, as soldiers and angry militants terrorize parts of the capital, Lome.
- Son of Togo's Late Leader Wins Election, Sparking Riots
The son of Togo's late leader Gnassingbe Eyadema who ruled Togo for 38 years, has won Sunday's controversial presidential election, sparking riots in the capital and calls for popular resistance by the opposition.
- Profile: Faure Gnassingbe, Togo's Contested President-Elect
Togo's newly elected president Faure Gnassingbe is the son of Gnassingbe Eyadema who ruled 38 years until his death earlier this year.
- Faure Gnassingbe Declared Winner in Togo Presidential Election
Togo's election commission says ruling party candidate Faure Gnassingbe is the winner of Sunday's presidential election.
- Togo's Political Rivals Agree to Unity Government
Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo announced Monday that Togo's two main political rivals have agreed to form a unity government, no matter who wins the presidential election.
- Togo Political Foes Agree to Form Unity Government in Attempt to Avert More V...
Togo's political foes have agreed to form a government of national unity in an attempt to avert more violence following this weekend's disputed presidential elections.
|
