As Human Rights organizations around the world are condemning the atmosphere of terror that reigns in Togo, Togolese people are faced with a very difficult decision. "Run for your life or stay to exercise your patriotic duty to vote on Sunday June 1st 2003."
Indeed with rumors of organized military death squads, ready to turn the country into chaos as the polls close on Sunday, many families have to decide whether to run into exile in neighboring countries before Sunday, or stay to exercise their patriotic duty to vote. It is very unfortunate that the people of Togo have to make this kind of decision.
Already, hundreds of families are said to have abandoned their homes in the capital city of Lome for their villages. Those who have the means are opting to leave the country all together. If this trend continues, Eyadema and his cronies will be successful once again at scaring people away from the polls. This may be their ultimate goal, "run the people out of the country and hold an election." This was the tactic the general and his gangs used successfully in 1993. However, this time around, more eyes are on the country and the trend to run away from the ballot boxes has not yet caught on.
It seems that Eyadema, after 36 years of absolute terror in Togo, believes that his departure will mean a certain bloodbath. It is quite easy to imagine this scenario since he has proven times and again that he has no intention to relinquish his grip on power. He may be ready to instigate this "bloodbath" if he looses the elections on Sunday. He has always used this threat to hold hostage the future and aspirations of a whole Nation. Moreover, with this type of threats, he has managed to fend off any international pressure.
If the situation in the former Zaire is of any indication, Togolese people have a lot to fear. Since the humiliating departure of Mobutu's regime, this rich and vast central African nation has only known wars and miseries. But Togo's fate may not be the same if opposition leaders manage to act responsibly by showing unity in their ranks. There is still time to do just that. A unified opposition will make it easy to the growing number or probably the majority of the members of the army to show clearly their support for a peaceful regime change. Thus, any attempt by the general and his sons to turn Togo into a "graveyard" will not be successful.
Nonetheless, the people's victory at the poll is guaranteed and Eyadema's end is near. Opposition groups and reformists in the ruling party RPT need to demonstrate their maturity and poise in victory in order to protect the will of the people and safeguard the country from anarchy. Eyadema was never known to be a visionary, so let's not make him one at this final hour.
USA, May 26th 2003
John Messavussu
Coordinator of Togo Relief Fund
