OATUU condemns military action in Togo

Accra, Feb. 9, GNA - The Organisation of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU), on Wednesday extended its condolences to the family of the late President and to the workers and people of Togo, on the death of former President Gnassingbe Eyadema.

It said, it was sending the condolence as the "first and foremost" thing to do in the keeping of tradition and in the spirit of African culture.

A statement signed by Mr. Hassan A. Sunmonu, Secretary General of OATUU however, condemned the "unconstitutional manner in which the son of the late President was propelled to the presidency of Togo, by the Togolese military."

"It is utterly inconceivable that in this era of democracy, popular participation, rule of law, transparency and accountability, the Togolese population should be subjected to the imposition of Mr. Faure Gnassingbe as President, by the military, instead of following the constitutional procedure.

The statement said "African workers, under the umbrella of the OATUU, will not accept the flagrant violation of the constitution of Togo, nor the legitimisation of the illegitimate action of the Togolese military."

It asked that the "constitution of Togo should be restored and election of a new Togolese President held within the constitutional stipulation of 60 days."

The statement said if that was not otherwise done the OATUU was calling on ECOWAS, the African Union and the United Nations to impose sanctions on Togo.

OATUU also called upon the Togolese workers, unions and people, to ensure the sanctity of the Togo constitution and to revert to the constitution of their country.