September 24 – Anniversary of the Failed Attack on Lomé in Togo

nPosted on September 24, 2017

Key points

Lomé is the capital of the West African nation of Togo.
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nOn this date in 1986, about 50 men attacked a military barracks that served as the home of the then-President of Togo.

nThey must surely have been trying to either kill or capture President Eyadéma Gnassingbé, but instead security forces captured the dissidents (which means people who try to revolt against a government). Of course, some of the attackers as well as some civilians were killed in the attack.

nIt seems strange to me to celebrate the anniversary of a failed attack, but perhaps the president wanted to remind his people that attacks against him will fail?

nYou see, President Gnassingbé was a dictator. He was a military general, and he swooped in with armed forces and grabbed power, named himself president, and ruled over Togo for 38 years!

nGnassingbé died in 2005, but now his son rules and rules and rules. This son has held elections, but every time he wins his opponents complain that the election was rigged – and given the fact that political opponents are often killed, it seems very likely to be true.

nHopefully someday Togo will enjoy democracy.

nIn the meantime, let’s enjoy a bit of Togo:

nLac Togo (Togo Lake)