Togo’s Catholic Bishops Decry “culture of lies”, Appeal for Truth, Peace, Dialogue amid Rise in Political Tension

Thus, under the amended Constitution, Togo’s President is no longer to be elected by universal suffrage, but by legislators. This move gives room to President Gnassingbé to extend his 19-year rule.

This was almost sealed on May 3, when the President of Togo, Faure Gnassingbé, was appointed head of the Council of Ministers. It is a powerful new role with no term limits, Reuters reported.

In the June 13 statement issued following their Plenary Assembly, CET members urge all Togolese, especially leaders and citizens of influence, to “uphold human dignity and the fundamental freedoms and rights of every citizen.”

“We call for calm, dialogue, and the respect of human dignity,” the Catholic Bishops say.

CET members thank “all those who wholeheartedly responded to our recent call for prayer for our country.”

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They once again invite the people of God in Togo and all people of goodwill to continue praying so that “all the sons and daughters of our beloved country may truly recognize one another as brothers and sisters, and become capable of love instead of hatred, of unity instead of division.”

“May they finally unite to generously work for the building of the earthly city on its journey toward the Heavenly City,” they add.

Catholic Bishops in Togo entrust the people of God in the West African nation to the maternal protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace.

“May she obtain for each person the grace of humility and the clear vision of what they must do. They renew their spiritual closeness to all Togolese people who long for peace, along with their blessing,” CET members implore in their June 13 statement.

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.