Tense sociopolitical situation: Civil society calls on the government to "show more restraint and courtesy in its declarations"

Togolese civil society is following closely the socio-political events of the past few days, with the violence of the demonstrations organized by the PNP last Saturday. It calls on the government to restrain. Read the statement!



Declaration by Togolese civil society following the violence noted in certain cities of the country during the demonstrations of 19 August 2017

It is with dismay and concern that the Togolese Civil Society in its geographical and thematic diversity has observed the avoidable losses in human lives, Injuries and the enormous degradation of public and private property noted mainly in the cities of Sokodé, Lomé, Anié and Kara during the demonstrations organized by the Pan-African National Party (PNP) on 19 August 2017, with a view to demanding a return The Constitution of 14 October 1992 and the right to vote in the diaspora. In addition, arrests of dozens of demonstrators were also reported.

Togolese Civil Society, while recalling that the freedom to demonstrate peacefully and the protection of both public and private property are constitutionally guaranteed and therefore should not suffer any violation, condemns the violence noted during the demonstrations on 19 August 2017.

The Togolese Civil Society presents its condolences to the grieving families and wishes the injured a speedy recovery.

Considering that peace is an inestimable good whose true value is only measured when it has been lost,

Convinced that Togo can not advance without peace, the Togolese civil society invites political actors and the Togolese authorities to mutual understanding as the son and daughters of the country concerned about the integral development of Togo.

Given analysis, The Togolese Civil Society found that the root cause of these tensions and discomfort is the insufficient implementation of agreements on constitutional and institutional reforms, including the CPA, the recommendations of the CVJR, workshop Of July 2016 of the UNHCRR.

In light of all the foregoing, the Togolese Civil Society calls for the responsibility of the Head of State, as the first guarantor of the stability of the country to work for the realization of these agreements definitively settling the issues on reforms Constitutional and institutional measures in the best interests of the Togolese people, as soon as possible.

The government to:

1) show more restraint and courtesy in its declarations that must be done in a calmed tone in order to consolidate social peace;

2) guarantee the exercise of the freedom of manifestation throughout the territory;

And (3) requiring more professionalism and responsibility on the part of law enforcement officials in guiding demonstrations to avoid slippage.

The Togolese Civil Society invites political party leaders to call on their activists to respect public goods and to discourage any incitement to violence and hatred. The Togolese Civil Society invites all the protagonists to the scrupulous respect of the texts that govern the public manifestations.

The Togolese Civil Society, while congratulating the initiators of the different messages of call for peace, draws the attention of the social and political actors to promote the dialogue and the culture of peace.

The Togolese Civil Society invites the population to refrain from broadcasting on the social networks images, texts and videos, inciting violence and hatred. The consequences of such acts are most often irreversible. We must cultivate a spirit of appeasement and fraternity between the daughters and sons of our beloved patri.

Togolese comes, build the city in peace, dialogue and confidence!

Done at Lomé, on 24 August 2017

Signed the organizations participating in the present press conference.

ANAVIE, Acomb, APED, ASVITTO, AVIP-Togo, AVEDEC-Togo, CACIT, CJD, CED-Togo, CNSC-Togo, COFFEE, Bloom, FNRR, FONGTO, LCT, LTDH MoCEDeV PWYP-Togo, Rajes, REFED Savannah , REPAJOSEC, REJADD-Togo, Rameau Jesse, UONGTO, UST, UAOD, Planetary Solidarity, SADD, Stadd, STT, WANEP-Togo, WINIGA.