In a fiery statement, the opposition movement “Touche Pas à Ma Constitution” responded to the declaration made by Togo’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Robert Dussey, regarding the country’s potential membership in the Sahel States Alliance (AES). The group labeled the diplomatic move as a diversion, intended to shift attention away from the true priorities of the Togolese people.
In a recent interview with Voxafrica, the Togolese minister claimed that the people of Togo would say “yes” to joining the AES, a coalition formed by Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali following their departure from the ECOWAS. The opposition front, however, condemned this statement as a strategic move by the regime of Faure Gnassingbé to hold onto power, ignoring the pressing concerns of the population.
The statement from the movement reads: “Once again, the power of Faure Gnassingbé mocks the Togolese people. The regime announces with fanfare its intention to join the Sahel States Alliance (AES). The government no longer sets any limits and continues to act as if Togo is its property. As usual, with disdain and disregard, it makes decisions for the Togolese people without consulting them.”
The opposition argues that this initiative is nothing more than a smokescreen to conceal the “institutional disorder” caused by the “illegal and illegitimate” constitutional changes. They also claim the regime is using the AES membership discussion to mask its inability to address the basic needs of the population, including human rights, public freedoms, and the rule of law.
The communiqué stresses that the current priority for Togolese citizens is not whether or not to join the AES, but rather concerns such as purchasing power, access to essential services, and the respect of their rights. “The current concern of the Togolese is not membership in the AES, but purchasing power, access to basic services, and the respect of their rights,” the statement asserts.
The movement concludes by urging Togolese citizens to be vigilant in the face of what it describes as a “deception,” warning that the sovereignty invoked by the regime is merely a façade to maintain its “oppressive rule”. “Let us not allow this new betrayal to take place,” the communication cell concludes.
The opposition also accuses Faure Gnassingbé of seeking only to “maintain his power” and continuing to oppress the Togolese people, pointing to the recent arrest of Sokpo Honoré Sitchope for publishing a poem on Facebook as evidence.
Opposition slams Togo’s AES bid as ‘diversion’ from real issues’
