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Repression at the UL: University police, Tontons macoutes of Prof Dodji Kokoroko?




Since the General Assembly of the Movement for the Development of the Togolese Student (MEET), the University of Lome has returned to violence. The University Police Corps (COPUL), aided by gendarmes and police, represses students by violating academic freedom.


 Inauguration of the WIFI, opening of the restaurant, asphalting of some ways, etc. All this bears the signature of the "Great reformer" of the university campus, Prof Dodji Kokoroko. He is also the "owner" and "prime contractor" of all the construction sites that are launched and executed at the University of Lomé (UL). Only, the "Great Reformer" whose appointment to the post of President of UL is controversial, does not support the challenge. Anyone who raises a finger is systematically monitored by the COPUL whose methods are similar to those of Tontons macoutes Duvalier in Haiti. The students are paying for the muscular raids of this curious university police reinforced by the Gendarmerie and Police.

Last Tuesday, the clashes erupted on the campus of Lomé. Prosecution, tear gas, beatings, these violent acts were committed against students during the meeting organized by the Togolese League of Students and Students Rights (LTDE). The images of the students climbing the UL wall to flee the repression revealed the extent of the barbarity of the university police backed by police and police officers. In a statement released, the LTDE reported "several arrests and injuries" including two of its members. The student organization "demands the unconditional and immediate release" of these arrested comrades and "urges the dissolution of the University Police Corps". A week earlier,

The recrudescence of these abuses raises questions about the real missions devolved to the University Police Corps. This body created on the university campus was intended to look after the University's property, including classrooms and other infrastructures. But curiously, this police goes beyond its prerogatives and is illustrated much more by its methods of repression on students. Armed with clubs and cords, these "police" romp on the students and track down to their limits. They are helped in their dirty work by the gendarmes and policemen who, from time immemorial, see the students as enemies that must be defeated.


What legal status does the University Police Corps have? This is the big question that comes back to the offenses perpetually committed against students. The question is worth its weight because deaths are to be feared with regard to the turn that often take the scuffles on the university campus. And one wonders who will be criminally responsible if these cases happen. Would the Presidency of the University shirk in attributing it to the COPUL or the police and gendarmes? Or would she recognize the facts? Nothing is sure since she always takes care to justify the muscular descent of her famous COPUL and does everything to make the responsibility to the student associations that she does not carry in her heart.

Obviously for the "Great Reformer", there is no question that in his mission of the "Great Leap", students dispute it. That's why he relies on his "tontons macoutes" to stifle students' demands. The mission proves to be dangerous for him since the student movements that claim the reduction of certain registration fees are not ready to give in to intimidation and repression. New general meetings are expected.

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