Togo Relief Fund, a group of concerned young Togolese professionals and students living in the US is coordinating an email campaign aimed at the US state Department asking the US government to send a strong message to despotic military dictator General Gnassingbe Eyadema to open up his country for democratic reforms. ?I believe that with a clear and strong message of condemnation from the US and with the proper sanctions, the General and his regime will relinquish power. I am calling for the assets of the members of this despotic regime be frozen, military assistance be suspended, and travel bans imposed? says John Messanvussu, a Hardware Engineer in San Jose and Coordinator of Togo Relief Fund.
President General Gnassingbe Eyadema has dominated the political landscape in republic of Togo since 1963 following the first-ever bloody coup d'etat in Africa. General Gnassingbe Eyadema, strongly backed by the government of France and the armed forces lead by his sons, has maintained firm control over all government branches and the media.
John McCann, a returning Peace Corps Antrac Volunteer who spent two and a half years in the Northern part of West-African country, republic of Togo, wrote to the State Department last week urging the United States ?to ensure that Eyadema's corrupt and brutal regime ends without a descent into chaos?. As the country prepares for critical presidential elections this Sunday June 1st , John McCann joins the citizens and friends of Togo and other human rights organizations in an email campaign directed to the US State Department calling for a peaceful end to 40 years of uninterrupted political supremacy of military dictator General Gnassingbe Eyadema in republic of Togo.
Since the beginning of the email campaign for a regime change in Togo three weeks ago, about sixty emails from Togolese, returning Peace Corps volunteers, and human rights activists have reached the email box of the State Department. This is a good track record for a community that traditionally fears to speak up against the regime in Togo. Many Togolese who are participating in the email campaign fear for the lives of their relatives and friends that are still living in Togo.
It is still unclear what concrete measures the international community, including the United States intends to put in place to uphold democratic values and basic freedom in Togo, if General Gnassingbe Eyadema were to once again steal the elections and attack civilians after the polls close as this has been his modus operandi for 40 years. John Messavussu continues to hope that with tough sanctions, including travel bans to the US and freezing of assets, targeted at General Gnassingbe Eyadema and his cabinet members, "George Bush will reinforce his stance against dictatorial regimes in the world?.
San Jose, CA, USA, May 28, 2003
For information: www.togorelieffund.org
Ayite Gaba
Contact: ayite@togorelieffund.org
