Six killed in Togo election result protests

AT LEAST six people, three soldiers and three civilians, were killed in protests that broke out after Faure Gnassingbe, the son of Togo’s late dictator, was declared the winner of presidential elections, officials said yesterday.

Clashes pitting riot police against opposition party supporters, angered by Tuesday’s announcement of Faure Gnassingbe’s victory, continued into yesterday, with men throwing petrol bombs at police. More than 100 people were wounded.

Three soldiers have died in the battles engulfing the capital, Lome, Interior Minister Folly Bazi Katari said. He said there was heavy looting and rock-throwing crowds had damaged foreign embassies.

He said: “Those responsible for these actions will be severely punished. This is not political protest any more, but robbery and destruction.”

By late Tuesday, more than 100 wounded had been admitted to Lome’s main hospital. They included several gunshot victims and people who were beaten by protesters and security forces, he said.

The military had named Gnassingbe as new president shortly after the February 5 death of a heart attack of his father, Gnassingbe Eyadema, whose 38-year rule made him Africa’s longest-ruling dictator.

Amid heavy international pressure, the 39-year-old son agreed to allow elections, held on Sunday amid violence and charges by the opposition that the ruling party was stealing the vote.

Authorities announced on Tuesday Gnassingbe won with 60% of the vote.

His main opponent - Bob Akitani, in hiding since balloting - took 38%.

Gilchrist Olympio, leader of Akitani’s party, called for new elections and said it was unlikely his party would follow through on a pledge to join a national unity government.

Olympio said he would consult colleagues before giving an answer, “but I can tell you already, it’s 90% (sure) we won’t accept joining this government.

“The election we just had is a joke,” Olympio said.

“There was massive fraud so it’s difficult for a serious political party to recognise such a result.”

Olympio and Gnassingbe had agreed that whoever won would form a government of national unity.