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Togo Opposition Leader Says Power-Sharing Deal Reached


Gilchrist Olympio (March 2010 file photo)
Gilchrist Olympio (March 2010 file photo)

A Togolese opposition leader says his party and the ruling party have reached a power-sharing deal, following the disputed March election.

Gilchrist Olympio told reporters Thursday that the Union of Forces for Change will hold at least seven ministerial posts in a new government with the ruling Rally for the Togolese People.

There was no immediate word on whether other opposition leaders have endorsed the deal. UFC supporters have been holding weekly demonstrations to protest the outcome of the March presidential election, won by incumbent Faure Gnassingbe.

Losing candidate Jean-Pierre Fabre says there were irregularities during the vote, including ballot box stuffing.

Observers from the Economic Community of West African States said the vote was fair, though they expressed concern about the reliability of vote totals reported to the national electoral commission.

Togo's previous presidential election in 2005 was marred by allegations of fraud and post-election violence that killed hundreds of people.

That election installed Mr. Gnassingbe as president, soon after the death of his father, longtime ruler Gnassingbe Eyadema.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.

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