What the African Diaspora Should Know About Togo Prior to the African Diaspora Economic Forum
Since the Togolese government is now trying to reach out to the African diaspora through the African Diaspora Economic Forum, I think it is important that the African diaspora be properly informed about Togo. This is especially important because the government of Togo is a very deceptive one that is always trying to present the image of progress in Togo to mask the suffering of the Togolese people.
The current regime in Togo is the oldest military dictatorship in Africa today. The current president of Togo, Faure Gnassingbé, was installed by the military of Togo in 2005 after his father Gnassingbé Eyadéma died. Gnassingbé Eyadéma seized power in 1967 through a military coup. Since 1967, the same family has been in power in Togo.
In 2017, the people of Togo rose up in mass demonstration to demand an end to the dictatorship. The Togolese regime responded to these protests by unleashing violent force against the protesters, which resulted in the deaths of some of those protesters. Togo is also a nation where political prisoners have endured brutal torture. I mention this because the government of Togo has been working to cover up its abuses and to present a more favorable image to the international community. This recent attempt to organize an economic development forum which includes the diaspora is another part of this attempt.
