Ahead of the December 20 polls in Togo, one of the leaders of the main opposition coalition in the country, Brigitte Adjamagbo-Johnson, has announced that the opposition is determined to ensure that upcoming elections do not take place due to the increasing allegations of fraud.
Joint leaders of the opposition have called for more protests over the issue, following their dissatisfaction with the conditions set in place for the election.
Speaking on the upcoming polls and the opposition party’s stand, Adjamagbo-Johnson reportedly said: “We’re not going to give our blessing to this masquerade being prepared.”
This response was fuelled by the decision of Togo’s Constitutional Court to exclude 14 party opposition coalitions known to have staged protests against the incumbent, President Gnassingbe, over the past year. Meanwhile, ballots for only 12 parties and 17 independent candidates have been validated.
Taking over from his father in 2005, Faure Gnassingbe’s tenure has been met with criticism and has been marked by insecurity in the country. He infamously called for the removal of Togo’s two-term presidency limit in what many have concluded was an attempt to prolong his rule. Opposition parties have called for an end to the Gnassingbe dynasty as the country descends further into political turmoil.
For context, the Gnassingbe family has held power in Togo for over 50 years.
In June 2018, Al-Jazeera reported: “…Nabourema said the protesters’ demands changed as the demonstrations intensified in the months since August.
“They have shifted from the return of the 1992 constitution to ‘Faure Must Go’, meaning people are no longer just protesting for constitutional reforms or term limits,” said Nabourema
“They want the end of the Gnassingbe dynasty and they clearly stated that.”
Two protests were scheduled last week to amplify the voices of those who stand against this, regardless of Security Minister General Yark Damehame’s statement where he warned against acts of violence intended to disrupt the campaign and voting processes.
Commenting on the boycott, Damehame explained that while the boycott process isn’t against the constitution, violence should be avoided by all means.
“A boycott is a democratic choice. One should not seek to destroy the voting booth or the ballot box,” he said.
