Latest News #303 – Togo
February 22, 2005

The following news concerns Togo.

Call for prayers after military coup in Togo

Lomé City, Togo, taken in 1995. Photo: UBS WSC/ Maurice Harvey (TOG95T-52.JPG)

TOGO — The Bible Society of Togo may have to temporarily suspend its activities following a military coup which has left the country in turmoil. From the Society's offices in an area of Lomé which is regarded as a stronghold of opponents of the new President, General Secretary the Rev Wolanyo Amegah has called on the United Bible Societies Fellowship to pray for his country and its people.

The current crisis broke out following the death on February 5 of General Gnassingbe Eyadéma, who had been in power since 1967. According to Togo's constitution, the country should then have been led temporarily by the President of the National Assembly until a new President was elected. Instead, General Eyadéma's son, Faure Gnassingbe, with the support of the military, installed himself in power only hours after his father's death. Once in power, he immediately began taking over televisions and radio stations. His actions brought widespread condemnation from the international community, which was quick to impose sanctions. As these begin to take effect, it is the ordinary people of Togo who are suffering, facing both civil unrest and the further decline of an already weak economy.

Construction of the Society's new Bible House in Lomé, Togo, taken in 1998. Photo: BS Togo/Wolanyo Amegah (TOG98C04_21.JPG)

For the Bible Society, the immediate problem is its location. With opponents of Mr Gnassingbe calling for mass demonstrations and civil disobedience, it may have to abandon its offices "at any moment", according to Mr Amegah, as to remain there would place its staff at risk. The military is reacting very rapidly to any signs of opposition, he reports, and a number of people have been killed or injured.