Opposition Protest
Togo’s Presidential Election Result.
Riot
Police in Togo have fired tear gas at more than 1,000 opposition
protesters who gathered in the capital, Lome the fourth day of
rising tensions since the son of the former leader was announced
victorious in a disputed presidential election.
The march was banned by the government but top opposition
candidate Jean-Pierre Fabre has vowed to march every day to
protest what he says was a fraudulent election.
Some angry protesters, chanting “we want change”, clad in
the bright yellow color of the top opposition party, hurled
rocks and insults at the police, who carried shields, batons and
tear gas canisters.
Saturday's provisional results showed Fabre lost to incumbent
President Faure Gnassingbe, who won 60.9 percent of the vote.
Thursday's election was the second presidential vote held since
the death of Gnassingbe's father, who seized power in a 1967
coup and ruled the country for 38 years.
His son took over the leadership of the country after his death
in 2005.
Gnassingbe's victory extends the family's rule into a 44th year
and will mean the political dynasty will stay in power for
nearly half a century.
Some of the protesters objected the family’s long rule noting
that Togo is not a kingdom.
The opposition has attempted to hold marches each day since
Saturday, but a planned march on Monday was halted by police.
The European Union's Observer Mission in Togo however did not
mention evidence of ballot stuffing or vote rigging in its
preliminary report as alleged by the opposition.
But it did say there was evidence the ruling party may have
tried to buy off voters by handing out rice to the country's
poor.
AP/WILLIAMS
