Togo’s Parliament, last Monday, amended the country’s 1992 Constitution, making it possible for presidential office to contest future elections without any legal term limitations.
English to Africa reporter Richard Kotey spoke with Gilchrist Olympio, the leader of the main opposition, Forces For Change, UFC from Paris. He says his party finds it unacceptable that President Eyadema, not even properly elected, should be in power for nearly 40 years.
He says Mr. Eyadema’s regime has been a despotic one, so whether there are changes or not, his party does not see any difference. He disagrees with statements by some observers that Mr. Eyadema has the mandate of the Togolese people. He says the elections that brought the president to power were not proper, but flawed.
He says the parliament that passed the amendments was not properly elected.
Click the above links to listen or download Kotey interview with Mr. Olympio.