TOGO: Political foes agree to form unity government after crisis talks in Nigeria

[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

ABUJA, 25 Apr 2005 (IRIN) - Togo's political foes have agreed to form a government of national unity in an attempt to avert more violence following this weekend's disputed presidential elections, Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo said on Monday after hosting emergency talks with the leaders of the two sides.

Togo's ruling party candidate, Faure Gnassingbe, and the most powerful opposition leader who was barred from contesting the election, Gilchrist Olympio, were summoned to Abuja after Sunday's poll ended violently with reports of at least three people killed in clashes between rival supporters.

"We have agreed that whoever wins the elections will forge ahead with a government of national unity, which will make everybody have a sense of participation and a stake in the polity," Obasanjo said.

On Monday, the streets of the Togolese capital Lome were tense and largely deserted as people waited to see what would follow the 38-year rule of Gnassingbe Eyadema, whose death in February sparked the political crisis.

With both sides crying foul and alleging fraud, and neither willing to accept defeat, diplomats and residents had feared further trouble when the election results were announced -- a prospect which sent jitters around an already-troubled West African region.

But with the intervention of Obasanjo before the election results were published, those fears appeared to have receded. Besides heading the largest and influential country in West Africa, Obasanjo is the current chairman of the African Union (AU).

"We've also agreed that there will be an examination of the Constitution to fashion out an amendment in order to really satisfy the ideal of democracy and fundamental human rights, popular participation and the rule of law," the Nigerian leader said.

A committee including representatives from the rival political parties, the AU and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) would be set up to monitor developments in Togo, he added.

Gnassingbe seized power with the backing of the army on 5 February within hours of his father's death, but was pressured into resigning three weeks later and calling elections.

Speaking after the talks with Obasanjo and Olympio in Abuja, he acknowledged that Togo would face a difficult transition period.

"Inside Togo we have our difficult times and what I want is to work with everybody in good faith. We need to work together. We've agreed to work in an atmosphere of inclusiveness," said the 39-year-old candidate of the country's ruling party, the Rally of the Togolese People (RPT).

His rival, Olympio, adopted a similar conciliatory tone.

"We all accept that for so many years we were lost in the wilderness. And now we have an opening which we're exploring to ensure lasting peace and true democracy. That is what we want," he said.

Olympio was barred from contesting Sunday's election because he has lived in exile since 1992, so Bob-Akitani, the deputy leader of his Union of Forces for Change (UFC) party, stood in as a surrogate on the ballot paper.

Togo's National Election Commission (CENI) was not expected to announce the outcome before Tuesday.

[ENDS]