There is no way that "a country's entire population will accept to die
for a single man or group of men", Togo's pro-opposition newspaper, 'Carrefour',
writes this week.
In its viewpoint on Togo's electoral process, the paper sends a warning
signal to officials of the ruling Rally of Togolese People, or RPT party,
that the entire international community was likely to ignore the country.
Under the title, 'Government's refusal to send funding request to the
European Union', the paper refers to a letter said to have been sent to
President Gnassingbe Eyadema by the European Union presidency.
"Looking at the letter, one can deduce that if Togo persists in doing
as it pleases, there is no doubt that the entire international community
will turn its back on it", says 'Carrefour' in reference to the political
attitude of RPT officials.
"In fact," the paper points out, "the European Union will be compelled
to sever its co-operation ties with Togo for good".
Meanwhile, 'Le Soleil', which is usually close to the presidential camp,
tries to justify the absence of RPT officials at recent sessions of the
national independent electoral committee (NIEC) and those of the inter-party
follow-up committee.
The paper refers to the funeral of the President's father as an excuse
they could bring up to justify their absence and the delays observed in
the electoral process.
On the economic crisis under which Togo reels, the paper admits that
the only recourse is the international community.
"The government has already undertaken to accelerate the organisation
of elections", says Le Soleil.
It urges the Togolese opposition "to show proof of its honesty and political
will to ensure that progress is made since the donors have their disbursement
mechanisms".
Commenting on the same issue, under the title: "Subduing the Togolese
even more", another pro-opposition paper, 'Crocodile' describes the misery
which the Togolese people are daily subjected to.
"Surprisingly, like reeds, they bend but do not break", the paper describes
the people's endurance and the way they have maintained their dignity.
"They still look proud, upright, intrepid in the face of the misfortune
they are subjected to .... stoical in the midst of blows from their tormentors".
