Togolese president dies, son takes over in military coup

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4239983.stm



Togolese president Eyadema dies

Togo's President Gnassingbe Eyadema, Africa's longest serving ruler, has died and was replaced hours later by his son, Faure, army officials said.

Eyadema, 69, who had been ill for a number of years, died while being evacuated for medical treatment abroad.

The army said the speaker of parliament, who - under the West African country's constitution - should take over, was out of the country.

The Africa Union has denounced the move as a military coup.

All land and air borders have reportedly been closed.

Army chief of staff Gen Zakari Nandja said the decision to hand power to Faure Eyadema as acting president had been taken to avoid a power vacuum, with speaker, Fambare Ouattara Natchaba, away.

Faure Eyadema is the current communications minister.

AU commissioner Alpha Oumar Konare said it was a military coup, and an adviser to the AU's chairman, Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, said such an unconstitutional transfer of power was unacceptable.

Rights abuses

Eyadema had ruled since 1967, when he rose to power in a military coup.

The announcement of his death was made by Prime Minister Koffi Sama.

"It is a national catastrophe. The president of the republic, Gnassingbe Eyadema, is no more," he said.

"The government, the armed forces and security forces will keep watch so that order, security and peace reign throughout the country."

Eyadema had travelled abroad on several occasions in recent years for medical treatment.

After seizing power 38 years ago, Eyadema dissolved all political parties and governed unchallenged for more than two decades.

He legalised political parties in 1991, as a result of popular pressure, and won three elections.

But accusations of political repression and electoral fraud continued.

The European Union suspended aid in 1993 in protest at alleged voting irregularities, although some ties have since been restored.

An investigation by the United Nations and the Organisation of African Unity, after disputed elections in 1998, concluded there had been systematic violations of human rights.

Recently, Eyadema had tried to change his political image by appearing more moderate and attempting to involve himself in peace moves elsewhere in the region.

However, these attempts were largely unsuccessful, says the BBC's Andrew Simmons in Senegal.

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4263357.stm

Togolese go on strike over 'coup'



Riot police in Togo have cleared away roadblocks set up as part of a general strike called by the opposition over the "military coup" earlier this month.

Most shops and schools are closed in opposition strongholds but elsewhere normal activity is resuming.

Security is tight after three people were killed in protests on Saturday.

New President Faure Gnassingbe, who succeeded his father, has praised the actions of the police and condemned those who organised the march.

Mr Faure's succession has been condemned by Togo's neighbours and the international community.

West African leaders have warned they may impose sanctions after meeting Togo's prime minister over the weekend.

Radios closed

The BBC's Ebow Godwin in Lome says that opposition strongholds in tense south Lome are normally the nerve centre of Togo's business activities.

Most government offices and banks are open.

The opposition has called on people to stay at home for a "day of reflection".

Saturday's demonstrations saw protesters throw stones and the security forces deploy tear gas alongside live ammunition.

Police also used tear gas to break up a sit-in protest by the opposition in the capital, Lome, a day earlier.

The African Union has condemned "the repression of the peaceful demonstration, which caused the loss of human lives on Saturday."

Rallies have been banned by the new government, and police have shut down four private radio stations and a TV channel.

Our correspondent says the most prominent of the closed radio stations is Nana FM, which normally concentrates on women's issues but has recently broadened into political analysis.

Apology demanded

A spokeswoman for the West African regional body Ecowas said that Togo had not yet responded to its demands to revert to its original constitution or face sanctions, such as being suspended from the grouping.

Adrienne Diop said the Ecowas leaders expected a response by Tuesday "at the latest".

Ecowas has also demanded an apology for what it says was Togo's undignified treatment of Nigeria after its officials were refused permission to land in Lome on Friday.

According to the original constitution, parliamentary speaker Fambare Natchaba Ouattara was supposed to take over as caretaker leader following the death of Africa's longest-serving leader, Eyadema Gnassingbe, with elections to follow within two months.

However, parliament was hastily called to replace Mr Ouattara with Mr Faure and the constitution changed to allow him to serve the rest of his father's term - until 2008.

The new leader has promised "free and fair" elections soon but these are believed to be parliamentary.

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Togo's MPs reverse 'coup' changes
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4283467.stm

Togo's National Assembly has voted to reverse constitutional changes that allowed President Gnassingbe Eyadema's son to take power when his father died.

The army's installation of Faure Gnassingbe caused an outcry and West African leaders imposed sanctions.

The BBC's Elizabeth Blunt in Togo says the move could offer Mr Faure a dignified way to step aside.

However, the actions by Togolese MPs stopped short of asking Mr Faure to step down.

Opening the parliamentary session, the deputy speaker said it was only a fool who never changed his mind.

The MP introducing the bill said it would ensure national serenity in Togo and restore international confidence.

Sanctions

Mr Faure originally said he would serve his father's full term until 2008.

He later promised to hold presidential elections within months. But this was rejected as insufficient by the regional grouping, Ecowas, when it met on Saturday.

The group imposed sanctions, including a travel ban on Togolese leaders and an arms embargo.

The African Union backed the Ecowas stance.

The European Union urged Togo to restore constitutional order and the United States announced it would end all military assistance.

"We are reviewing all aspects of our relationship," state department spokesman Richard Boucher said.

Rival rallies

Under the original constitution - which was amended to legitimise Mr Faure's installation - the parliamentary speaker should hold the presidency pending the election. He remains overseas.

The authorities say Mr Faure was installed to prevent a dangerous power vacuum.

Togolese Foreign Minister Kokou Tozoun told Reuters news agency: "Can we be without a president for 60 days?"

He added: "We prefer to have sanctions and be in peace and stability rather than descending towards civil war."

On Saturday, opponents and supporters of the new leader held rival demonstrations. Both passed off peacefully. A week earlier, at least three people were killed when police opened fire during a protest.

The opposition wants Mr Faure to stand down immediately.

One of the main opposition parties has accused France - the former colonial power - of failing to use its influence to resolve the crisis.