Brussels, 21/02/2005 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has decided to add its voice to international pressure on Faure Gnassimbe, Togo's President set in place after a military coup d'état, to bring the country back within constitutional law without delay.
In a press release published on Sunday, the Commission strongly criticises the announcement made by Faure Gnassimbe, son of the late President Eyadema, that he would remain in power as acting president in breach of the country's constitutional and legal order. Louis Michel, European Development and Humanitarian Aid Commissioner said: “It is obvious that Mr Faure Gnassimbe's decision puts Togo in a situation of rupture with the international community. By acting in this way, Faure Gnassimbe and those who support him carry the responsibility for isolating their country. I urge them to return to constitutional order without delay”. The Commissioner does not doubt that the declaration being drafted by the European Union on the subject of Togo will be “very firm indeed”. He restates his request for “full respect of citizens' freedoms and rights and the establishment of true national dialogue, if not a national transition government that will allow free and transparent presidential and legislative elections to be held”. Louis Michel welcomes the efforts of mediation being made by African organisations and demonstrates his full support for the work of ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) that has now excluded Togo, withdrawn its ambassadors and banned the trade in arms and the granting of visas to the team in power. These sanctions were decided after ECOWAS had, with the support of the African Union, sought for ten days to bring Togo back onto the road to legality and democracy.