wfn.org | AACC Sends Condolences to Togo, Urges Constitutional Process

["Carol Fouke" <cfouke@ncccusa.org>]

9 February 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AACC General Secretary Extends Condolences to Togo, Urges Constitutional
Process

Nairobi, Kenya - The All Africa Conference of Churches, representing 174
member churches in 39 Countries of Africa, extends its condolence,
through the Church in Togo, to the entire Togolese people, particularly
the family of the late President Gnassingbe Eyadema, Africa's longest
serving leader, who died on Saturday, 5 February 2005.

Likewise, the AACC sends its prayers to the people of Togo as Eyadema's
son, Faure Gnassingbe, assumes leadership of the nation.

The political circumstances in which Mr. Faure Gnassingbe has succeeded
his father have caused much controversy across the globe, bringing
condemnation from other African leaders, boycotts from Western and
African diplomats in Togo, and the protest of opposition parties within
the nation.

As we express our condolence, let us also express our disappointment at
the political development that has plunged the nation into a crisis. We
stand in solidarity with the people of Togo at this time and we appeal
to the political good will of the legislative and military authorities
in Togo to seek a just and democratic solution to the present crisis.

The constitutional position that the late President swore to uphold and
protect made provision for the sudden death of a serving president so
that an unnecessary vacuum is not created. The constitution ought to be
solemnly respected.

It is our hope that Mr. Faure Gnassingbe will make good on his promises
to democratize the nation's political processes and ensure that citizens
of all ethnic groups and political leanings will have a voice in this
new era for Togo. We request that all violation of the constitution thus
far be rectified for the peace and future prosperity of the Togolese
nation.

We welcome the position of the Africa Union and the United Nations, the
Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS), the European Union,
France as well as other countries and international organisations and
pray that a just and democratic settlement to the current crisis be
reached and the constitutional interim arrangement be respected.

As a community of Churches, we finally wish to express our solidarity
with our member churches in Togo at this time when they are called to
show the way to their parishioners and play a prophetic role, with the
guidance of God.

Rt. Rev. Dr. Mvume Dandala
General Secretary
All Africa Conference of Churches

-end-

For further information, please contact: Akinyi Lucy Ogot, All Africa
Conference of Churches Communications and Advocacy Office, Email:
infodesk@aacc-ceta.org; Tel: 254 - 20 - 4441483, 4441338/9 · Fax: 254
- 20- 4443241, 4445835