INTERVIEW. The Franco-Togolese politician has been back in Togo since joining the opposition in the streets.
PROPOSED BY VIVIANE FORSON
He could not run for the presidential elections in Togo in 2005 or 2010, in 2015 he gave way to the candidate chosen by the opposition Jean-Pierre Fabre. A time entangled in the meanders of Togolese justice, and put under investigation in France for "trading in influence in a business involving" the crook of stars "- the former Socialist state secretary assures to have voluntarily taken a step back in order to sharpen its new strategy, which is criticized, judged not to be sufficiently anchored in the Togolese political landscape, yet the man knows very well the Francafrican backwater, of which Togo seems to be one of the most stubborn allies. tension rises around the revision of the Constitution, which will now be voted by referendum after an initial parliamentary consultation boycotted on 19 September by the opposition, Koffi Yamgnane picks up his phone. In addition, he bubbles with envy, the desire to "be" certainly, feeling a possible wind of change happening on his country. He told Africa Point about his intentions towards his country of origin.
Africa Point: We have not heard you since the events of August in Togo.
Kofi Yamgnane: In fact, I reacted vigorously to these events in which 11 deaths were reported; injured by dozens; imprisonment for up to 5 years ... for nothing; of refugees by the hundreds. I reacted on the site "icilome" as well as on a site in Benin. What I observe (of the demonstrations of August 19 and September 6 and 7, note) do not surprise me. This was expected after eleven years without any reform to anchor democracy. It was time to react.
But of course, that's all I could do from where I am ...: write to draw attention to what is happening in my country, to sensitize politicians in France and Europe ... and I did it.
Obviously, the disputes that I had with the justice of my country as well as the number of mishaps that I could experience while I wanted to be useful in Togo forced me to withdraw. Obviously, it blocked me politically in Togo. Obviously, what happened to me as a result of the accusations of the power in power supported by French connivances was not bearable. That is why I kept silent. But during that time, I refined my strategy and I will implement it very soon.
No I have not forgotten my country and I can not forget the country where my placenta is buried: what binds me to it is eternal. That is why I am in constant contact with those responsible for the monumental demonstrations that take place simultaneously in Lomé, Anié, Sokodé, Bafilo, Kara, Mango, Dapaong, Bassar, etc. . Every day, we exchange phone calls on the news of the violence, on future projects, on the slogans to be launched ...
And as a result, your reaction to the failure of the proposed bill the National Assembly and the referendum, what do you think?
The bill reached the Togolese National Assembly is a delusion: in writing and presenting it, Faure was concerned to show his supposed "good will" to those who hold Togo financially. But his true nature immediately returned: he ordered his deputy godillots to oppose it. At the same time, he refused the opposition any amendment to his plan ... Here is a democracy! It is still what it has done since 2006, the year of the signing of the Comprehensive Political Agreement, negotiated in Ouaga: I was there. However, the protesters initially made a clear request for the return to the 1992 Constitution. After this flight of power, what had to happen happened: as you can see, the Togolese people are no longer there; he now asks Faure to leave straight away! And Faure has no alternative but to negotiate his departure, all the opponents are ready.
The new slogan in the demonstrations of 20 and 21 September is clear and unambiguous: Faure clears!
You announce your return for very soon, but will you stay, this time?
It is obvious, I do not return to come back, but to stay. That is the first step, because the Togolese must know that I am here, that I have returned for good. The second step is to formalize this great movement that I called Sursaut. Why did I create Sursaut? It was February 6, 2005, the day after the death of General Eyadéma, when the military decided to put his son in power. I said to myself: "But this is not possible, the Togolese will have a burst of dignity, a burst of honor and why not a burst of pride! They can not accept this, the father has remained 38 years that's enough !"
You know, Togo experienced two "remarkable" historical facts during the 20th century: the first French colony to win its independence in 1960 and the first African country to undergo a military coup in 1963, a former colonial sergeant, Étienne Eyadéma. Since January 13, 1963, a deep night has fallen on the Togolese people.
Hence the name of my movement.
It is not a political party but a great movement of all those who want change. I will officialize it on my way back because I can not remain completely inactive while we kill my brothers and sisters. It is also normal with my experience that I take a step back and try to help the opposition in its fight. I do not do it bluntly but in total transparency. I meet the people I must meet, I talk openly about Togo.
Will you be seen in the street?
Oh yeah, I'll be out on the street. I understand that the Togolese government is in fact incapable of dialogue. It's no use hiding behind these people. If they have to leave, it is by force that they will leave. It is by the will of the Togolese people, it is by the protest, it is by the manifestations; because you can imagine that I participated in the Ouagadougou negotiations in 2006 with Blaise Compaoré. The Global Political Agreement (GPA), I participated in it, I wrote it with the other leaders because I thought we could do it.
Well since 2006, there is not a single measure that has been carried. I can no longer believe in this dialogue with this government, it is not possible,
To whom? Jean-Pierre Fabre or Tikpi Atchadam?
Together with the two. For I will be at the side of the Togolese people who today demand the departure of Faure Gnassingbe. Opponents are demanding the return of C-92, but the people have surpassed this, the people demand the departure of Faure. If he had had to revert to the Constitution of '92, he would have done it for a long time. Since at least 2006; he did not, he will not, so he must go. It's now 12-13 years that he came to power, that's enough, he did nothing good.
You were tough enough with the Togolese opposition some time ago, telling him that politics is done in the National Assembly and not in the street. Today, politics seems to be on the street, right? Or, at least, the street is pushing the opposition leaders to act. What do you think ?
My reproaches were addressed in particular to Jean-Pierre Fabre, the president of the ANC, with whom we fought, but he too quickly made acceptance of an official status of main opponent. I went away because I no longer had confidence, I no longer saw how he could continue to fight in accepting this function. I was surprised to see him more combative.
It would seem that you are conducting without mentioning diplomatic actions in favor of the Togolese opposition. Is it true ? If so, can you tell us a little bit more?
I will see those who have the opportunity to influence Togo or at least in international forums those who are likely to be sensitive to the speeches of the opposition. And who wonders that within the Francophonie, there is a country that resembles North Korea! There is a North Korea in West Africa in the French-speaking world and it can not last any longer. And I say it to all those who have a voice a little stronger than mine. I am thinking of the European foreign ministers, even the heads of government I have the opportunity to meet. I got a number of appointments; and I do not hide from it.
What is your share of the Sursaut movement in this struggle for democracy in Togo?
The Sursaut movement took the time to think.
The advantage we have over the national opponents on the spot is that they have a nose on the handlebars. They do not see things any more. they can not project themselves into the future. We look at it a little further, but that power can only be stopped. I understood that negotiations are not possible, it is to force that we must go. That is, we must not be afraid of dying. The army will not be able to kill a million people, there are historical examples of that. Take India and the movement led by Gandhi. The government was obliged to stop before the human bodies, because a government can not kill all its people if not on whom will it govern?
We also need to talk to the military. They must be led to think, understand that those who give the orders will be gone, so our message to the Togolese military is simple: do not shoot your mothers, do not shoot your sisters. The fight we are fighting is also yours. It concerns everybody precisely.
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