Gilbert Bawara: The Longest-Serving Minister in Togo’s Government

Gilbert Bidjilembayena Bawara has been a minister in Faure Gnassingbé’s governments for over 17 years, a record for longevity. He has held various positions, including Territorial Planning, Reforming Public Services, Territorial Administration, Cooperation, and Civil Service. Despite his long tenure, Bawara’s performance has been underwhelming, with no notable achievements to speak of.

Instead, Bawara has been known for his role in sowing confusion among the public on serious issues and his missions of invective against opposition actors and civil society. A notable example is his involvement in the dismissal of striking teachers during his nine-year tenure as Minister of Civil Service. The Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) recently ruled against the State of Togo, ordering it to pay heavy damages to the dismissed teachers.

The court’s decision was in response to a lawsuit filed by 53 dismissed teachers, including Abiguime Maguiliiwè, who accused Togo of violating their right to work, freedom of association, and freedom from arbitrary detention. The court ordered Togo to pay 530 million CFA francs, or 10 million CFA francs to each of the 53 dismissed teachers. This ruling highlights the need for accountability and transparency in Togo’s government.

Bawara’s longevity in government can be attributed to his ability to confuse the public and launch invectives against opposition actors. This approach has contributed to Togo’s stagnation and chaos. The country’s lack of progress is a result of the government’s failure to implement meaningful reforms and its reliance on divisive tactics.

In a recent statement, Bawara claimed that the opposition, particularly Jean-Pierre Fabre, has blocked reforms and openness in Togo since 2005. However, this assertion is unfounded and ignores the fact that many opposition members have been co-opted into the government over the years. The government’s inability to implement reforms is not due to opposition resistance but rather its own lack of will and vision.

The fate of Togo is in the hands of individuals like Bawara, who prioritize personal interests over the well-being of the nation. It is time for a change in leadership and a commitment to transparency, accountability, and meaningful reforms.

Author: Honoré Adontui

Source: lecorrecteur.info