LOMÉ, 3 March 2010: More than 3.000 local election observers, 6.000 soldiers, and representatives of international election transparency watchdog groups are scattered across Togo on the eve of a presidential election (election on Thursday March 4) crackling with tension, yet billed as a “national reconciliation” by its leaders.
In 2005 tens of thousands of Togolese fled east to neighbouring Benin or west to Ghana after a security crackdown in which hundreds died. Despite a 2007 legislative election ruled to be largely free, fair and peaceful, Togolese rattled by a violent electoral past have been opting for safer havens.
The UN Refugee Agency-led group of agencies and NGOs in Benin working on human rights have prepared an emergency plan, should tens of thousands again seek refugee in Benin as in 2005.
The seven presidential candidates, including the incumbent, President Fauré Gnassingbé, have repeatedly called for peaceful elections, for people to accept the election results, and to abstain from violence. -Nothing can justify the deaths of Togolese, not even a change of power, Gnassingbé said.
