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Diplomats Hope for Resolution to Togo Crisis
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=BA6F88:2AB91D3

ECOWAS says efforts to mediate what it calls an illegal presidency in
Togo have been 'fruitful' 







Faure Gnassingbe

  The West African regional grouping ECOWAS says that efforts to
mediate what it calls an illegal presidency in Togo have been
'fruitful'. People in Togo are waiting for embattled President Faure
Gnassingbe, who came to power with the help of the military, to make a
speech on whether he will call elections for the country.

Diplomats from the Economic Community of West African States are
making clear to Togo's new president that their demands to hold
elections were non-negotiable, and the group has threatened sanctions
against the small country.

Niger's Foreign Minister Aichatou Mindaoudou, one of the senior
diplomats leading the talks, said discussions were 'fruitful and
encouraging.'

A Togolese general, Seyi Memene, said that the military had agreed "to
return the country to constitutional order," but did not give further
details on whether elections would be held within 60 days as specified
in the former constitution.

Parliament changed Togo's constitution, so that Mr. Gnassingbe could
govern in his father's place until 2008. The 39-year-old came to power
when his father, President Gnassingbe Eyadema, suddenly died after 38
years in power. African leaders have condemned the transfer of power
as a coup.

The opposition insists Mr. Gnassingbe step down, and let the former
head of the national assembly take over until elections can be held.

The streets of Lome were quiet, after violent protests Monday in which
at least one man was killed. Although security forces continue to
patrol the streets, most people are going about their daily business
as usual.

A Lome resident, Eklou Kpetigo, said that people are waiting for Mr.
Gnassingbe to make an announcement about elections, and were
optimistic that they would be held soon.

He said that if elections were called, people would vote in large
numbers, aware the person they chose would lead Togo into the future.

Although Mr. Gnassingbe has promised to hold 'free and fair elections'
he did not specify whether he meant legislative elections, or if he
was giving people the opportunity to choose their president.