Togo’s Political Situation: A Never-Ending Cycle of Deception

«…The first participation of the DMP in the CPC allowed us to see encouraging signs, in the opinion of the first leaders of this group of opposition political parties. The fact that the WBC’s proposals have been accepted for future programming is considered significant progress. The DMP is committed to continuing its efforts within this framework, so that these essential issues for the peace and well-being of the Togolese people are addressed as soon as possible.»

The Togolese Resistance: A History of Betrayal

The Togolese political situation has become so disastrous that we sometimes come to doubt its intelligence and wonder if we have not lost our thoughts. The quote from the beginning of our text, which refers to the resumption of the work of the famous CPC (Cadre Permanent de Concertation), is an introduction to talk about the legendary evil and especially the bad faith of the Gnassingbé regime, which has been turning the people and the opposition into mere fools for several decades.

Can We Trust the Gnassingbé Regime?

Should there still be Togolese politicians, especially from the real opposition, who do not know that we can never trust the Gnassingbé regime again, after all the painful experiences they have had, every time the opposition had made the mistake of wanting to negotiate with this de facto power? Naturally, the answer to this question should be “no”. No one, among all those who say they are in the true opposition, who wish and seek at all costs the departure of this anti-Togolese regime of people, should no longer agree to sit at the same table with the men and women from UNIR for any conversations.

The Unity of the Opposition: A Myth?

The unity of the opposition, which always seems to start well, gradually cracks as things progress, leading to complete disillusionment. Every time the Gnassingbé regime, since 1990, was close to collapse, a political party or personality had always come from this opposition party to ensure that the regime brought up by the Togolese went back on track.

The DMP’s Enthusiasm: A Cause for Concern

Considering all the above, we are surprised by the enthusiasm shown by the first head of the DMP (Dynamic for the Most of the People), Mrs. Brigitte Adjamago Johnson, in relation to their first participation in the work of the CPC (Permanent Consultation Framework). The fact that the WBC’s proposals have been accepted for future programming is seen as significant progress. The fact that the DMP is so excited is more surprising as it is known that the opposite RPT-UNIR regime calls on the opposition every time, when its back is against the wall.

A History of Failed Dialogues

Searching the archives, it was not difficult for us to discover that before the CPC (Cadre Permanent de Concertation), there was the CNAP (National Consultation on Political Actors), high-sounding acronyms that have always been giving birth to a mouse. The CNAP was mainly run by spoilsport parties that had participated in the 2018 legislative elections and boycotted by the opposition.

The Release of Political Prisoners: A Taboo Subject

The release of political prisoners that the DMP wishes to see included on the agenda of the CPC negotiations is a taboo subject for the Faure Gnassingbé regime. This problem was related to political prisoners on the CNAP (National Consultation of Political Actors) conversation menu the day after the 2020 presidential elections, as we have already mentioned above. Today, more than four years later, no political prisoners have been released.

Samari Tchadjobo
Germany