Skip to main content
BBC NEWS / AFRICA
Graphics VersionBBC Sport Home
News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |
Monday, 21 August 2006, 11:02 GMT 12:02 UK

Accord seeks to end Togo strife

Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe Togo's government and six political parties have signed a formal agreement aimed at ending years of turmoil.

Under the accord signed in Lome, a transitional government will be set up to include the opposition parties.

The accord comes after a political crisis engulfed Togo following last year's disputed presidential elections.

It calls for the creation of an independent electoral commission to organise and supervise transparent and democratic elections.

"What is important is to respect the spirit and the letter of this accord and not to create unnecessary problems," President Faure Gnassingbe said at the signing ceremony.

"I will not shirk my responsibilities, and I will do everything to make this political contract a reality."

Burkina Faso's President Blaise Compaore, who hosted talks among the Togolese factions, also signed the agreement.

Outcry

Veteran opposition leader Gilchrist Olympio and his Union of Forces for Change are included in the deal.

The agreement seeks to bring a wider regional representation in a government which had been accused of domination by people from the north of Togo.

President Gnassingbe was sworn in by the military in February last year following the death of his father, long-serving President Gnassingbe Eyadema.

Following a local and international outcry, President Gnassingbe agreed to elections in April, which he won amid allegations of fraud.

More than 500 people were killed in violent clashes between the security forces and opposition supporters protesting about the alleged fraud.

Some 35,000 people fled into neighbouring Benin and Ghana.



E-mail this to a friend

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
African Union
Government of Togo (in French)
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC NEWS: 

News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |

NewsWatch | Notes | Contact us | About BBC News | Profiles | History

^ Back to top | BBC Sport Home | BBC Homepage | Contact us | Help | ©