Togo may face Lomé suspension after poll

Date: 30/07/1998

By Mark Turner

THE EU could suspend Togo from the Lomé Convention guaranteeing trade and aid privileges, after summoning ministers for talks on the country's widely criticised presidential elections, say senior officials.

The discussions mark only the second use of a new 'democracy clause' introduced to the Lomé IV Convention in 1995 and are being hailed as a test of the Union's commitment to political reform in Africa.

The European Commission invoked the clause following reports that polling stations were closed, ballot-boxes were confiscated and destroyed by soldiers, and the head of Togo's elections commission was forced to step down following the poll on 21 June.

Togo is one of Africa's smallest countries, sandwiched between Benin and Ghana. Although the nation is poor, its 4 million inhabitants are no worse off than the rest of the region, with income per head of 300 ecu and a 50% literacy rate.

Under the Sixth and Seventh European Development Funds, the country was allocated a total of 130 million ecu, of which almost half remains to be spent. "If Togo is suspended, we are not talking about peanuts," said a Commission official.

In the aftermath of last month's election, opposition leader Gilchrist Olympio strongly contested claims that President Gnassingbe Eyadema had won 52% of the vote and EU observers expressed "serious doubts" regarding the integrity of the poll.

Observers denied that locally hired French observer Cyril Montiel, who claimed the vote was entirely above board, was part of the official EU delegation.

In a statement issued at the end of June, the UK presidency of the Union "deplored" the announcement of results before all the votes had been counted and what it termed the failure to respect Togo's electoral code.

"This is a matter of particular regret given that, at the request of the Togolese authorities, the European Union had given wide-ranging support to the electoral process," it said in a statement.

The Commission called for consultations in early July "to make a detailed examination of the situation after the presidential elections and, if necessary, to remedy it". It was given the go-ahead for this action by EU foreign ministers a fortnight ago.

A spokesman for Togo's mission to the Union refused to comment on the consultations, claiming that "everything is going well".

Commission officials stress that Togo's suspension from Lomé is far from certain, and point out that the Togolese authorities have filed complaints about the conduct of EU observers. "That is why we are having talks," explained one expert.

Insiders admit that there are questions within the Commission over why Togo has been singled out for this treatment, while countries like Congo-Brazzaville, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Cameroon were left to their own devices after non-democratic changes of power. The only other country to have been hauled up under the democracy clause is Niger, following its surprisingly popular military coup.

Officials suggest that the Union is particularly incensed by events in Togo as it spent 2 million ecu on funding the elections. Moreover, they admit, the country is easier to influence and has fewer strategic interests for Europe than Congo.

The move also comes at a time when France is reassessing its previously cosy relationships with former colonies, and is courting English-speaking Africa with promises of an end to 'paternalism'.

Consultations between the Commission and Togo should last approximately 30 days, although the time frame could be extended if necessary.