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  • Feb 19th, 2005
  • Comments Off on Togo leader backs down, announces polls in 60 days
Togo leader Faure Gnassingbe announced on television late Friday that presidential elections would be held within 60 days, bowing to international pressure following his hoisting into power on the death of his father earlier this month. "I have decided in the higher interests of the nation to continue the process of transition in line with the constitution of 1992 amended in December 2002 and organise the presidential election within the stipulated time of 60 days," Gnassingbe said.

"The government will make the necessary arrangements to this effect," he said, adding, "we heartily desire ECOWAS to accompany us in this electoral process."

ECOWAS, the Economic Community of West African States of which Togo is a member, had led the pressure on Gnassingbe to conform to the original constitution after parliament changed it to authorise him to take office and rule until 2008.

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2005


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