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Togo: Togo Bishops call for urgent constitutional reforms

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LOME, Togo, 18 septembre (Infosplusgabon) - Togolese Bishops have called on the government to urgently carry out "reforms requested by the people in accordance with the 1992 Constitution".

 

"The Bishops' Conference of Togo attaches particular importance to these reforms, without which it is impossible to restore peace and social cohesion in our country," said a declaration read by Monsignor Denis Amouzou-Dzakpa, Archbishop of Lomé, the local media reported on Monday.

 

The Bishops said they believe that these reforms are "essential for our lives together" and invited "the protagonists to adopt a responsible, sincere and constructive approach".

 

The Episcopal Conference, which also denounced the wave of repression against the population, condemned "the excessive use of force against fellow citizens, sometimes even in their own homes". It also spoke against calls for ethnic hatred in social networks.

 

The declaration read: "Deeply concerned by the situation, the Bishops' Conference in particular urges the Army to adopt a Republican attitude of neutrality by avoiding any interference in the political debate, in accordance with the Constitution."

 

The Bishops urged "officials of institutions of the Republic to avoid publicly displaying their political affiliation".

 

They advised leaders of political parties "to avoid organizing antagonistic demonstrations on the same day, lest these rallies lead to clashes with unpredictable consequences".

 

They urged Christians to pray for peace, more specifically "in favour of institutional and constitutional reforms" so that "lasting peace can be established in the hearts of fellow citizens and that socio-political tensions rocking the country can calm down".

 

Since 19 August, Togo has been experiencing upheavals, with opposition activists calling for political reform, including a return to the 1992 constitution, which includes provisions deemed democratic, on the limitation of the presidential term, two rounds voting and voting by Togolese abroad.

 

Last week, the government and opposition parties in Parliament did not reach a consensus on a constitutional amendment text on the issues.

 

 

FIN/INFOSPLUSGABON/OLJ/GABON 2017

 

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