Togo: Combat for Political Change 2015 (Combat pour l'alternance politique en 2015, CAP 2015), including its objectives, structure, leaders and activities; demonstration of 21 November 2014, including the violence that occurred

1. CAP 2015

In a news report published in October 2014, the Nouvelle Agence de presse (NAP) Afrique-Monde, a news agency based in Lomé (Go Africa Online n.d.), stated that CAP 2015 is an [translation] "alliance of forces of change" established as part of a "conclave" between the Save Togo Collective (Collectif sauvons le Togo, CST) [1] and the Rainbow Coalition (Coalition arc-en-ciel) [2] (NAP Afrique-Monde 31 Oct. 2014). The CST and the Rainbow Coalition are [translation] "two Togolese opposition groups" (Koaci 31 Oct. 2014). A joint statement from the CST and the Rainbow Coalition dated 31 October 2014 states that a "conclave" between political opposition parties was held from 1 August to 31 October 2014 in order to build an alliance and [translation] "find solutions to Togo's problems" (CST and Rainbow Coalition 31 Oct. 2014). According to this same statement, at the end of these meetings, on 31 October 2014, participants chose Jean-Pierre Fabre as the sole candidate for the 2015 presidential election (ibid.).

According to the Agence France-Presse (AFP), "[f]our of the 12 parties [counting among them the grouping of the CST and the Rainbow Coalition] refused to take part in discussions that led to the nomination of Jean-Pierre Fabre" (AFP 1 Nov. 2014). Similarly, a report released by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) on the political climate ahead of the 2015 election indicates that some parties, including the Action Committee for Renewal (Comité d'action pour le renouveau, CAR), abstained from signing the "final document" produced at the end of the conclave between the CST and the Rainbow Coalition (ISS Oct. 2014, 4).

According to media reports, Jean-Pierre Fabre was defeated in the April 2015 presidential election by Faure Gnassingbé (AFP 29 Apr. 2015; RFI 4 May 2015). Sources state that he came in second place (ibid.; Afriquinfos 2 May 2015). According to Togo's constitutional court, which announced the official final election results, Jean-Pierre Fabre obtained slightly over 35 percent of the votes, versus nearly 59 percent for Faure Gnassingbé (Togo 3 May 2015).

1.1 Organizational structure and composition of CAP 2015

Sources report that CAP 2015 originally comprised eight political parties and that, in March 2015, there were only five (Focus infos 9 Mar. 2015; Savoir News 10 Mar. 2015). According to NAP Afrique-Monde, in October 2014, CAP 2015 was made up of the following parties:

National Alliance for Change (Alliance nationale pour le changement, ANC);

Democratic Convention of African Peoples (Convention démocratique des peuples africains, CDPA);

Movement of Centrist Republicans (Mouvement des républicains centristes, MRC);

New Togolese Engagement (Nouvel Engagement togolais, NET);

Democratic Pan-African Party (Parti démocratique panafricain, PDP);

Socialist Party for Renewal (Parti socialiste pour le renouveau, PSR);

People's Health (Santé du peuple);

Union of Socialist Democrats of Togo (Union démocratique et socialiste du Togo, UDS-Togo) (31 Oct. 2014).

According to the Togolese newspaper Focus infos, in March 2015 CAP 2015 comprised the following parties:

CDPA;

ANC;

UDS-Togo;

People's Health;

PSR (9 Mar. 2015).

Similarly, Togo's constitutional court notes that Jean-Pierre Fabre was selected as the presidential candidate under the banner of these same five parties (Togo 3 May 2015).

In a telephone interview with the Research Directorate, a leader of CAP 2015 explained that the organizational structure of CAP 2015 comprises the following bodies: a conference of party presidents, which is CAP 2015's decision-making body and includes the top party leaders at the national level; a coordinating body, which is supported by a general secretariat; as well as decentralized structures that are managed by the top party leaders of the prefectures across the country (CAP 2015 24 July 2015).

1.2 CAP 2015 leaders

Information on the leaders of CAP 2015 was scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

Sources mention the following leaders:

Brigitte Kafui Adjamagbo-Johnson, president of CAP 2015 (ANC 11 Feb. 2015; APA 10 Mar. 2015). She is reportedly also the secretary general of the CDPA (CST and Rainbow Coalition 31 Oct. 2014).

Abi Tchessa, co-president of CAP 2015 and president of the PSR (ANC 14 Mar. 2015).

Éric Dupuy, head of communications for CAP 2015 (AFreePress 15 July 2015). He is reportedly also in charge of communications for the ANC (ANC 11 Feb. 2015).

A list posted on an Internet site for Jean-Pierre Fabre indicates that his campaign team includes George Kouessan, Antoine Folly and Patrick Lawson-Banku, along with Brigitte Kafui Adjamagbo-Johnson and Abi Tchessa of the [translation] "CAP 2015 conference of presidents" (Jean-Pierre-Fabre-2015.com n.d.). The CAP 2015 leader reported that Jean-Pierre Fabre was also a member of the CAP 2015 conference of presidents (CAP 2015 24 July 2015). She further stated that Mr. Kouessan, a member of the UDS-Togo party, held the position of head coordinator within the conference of presidents and that Mr. Lawson-Banku was affiliated with the ANC (ibid.).

1.3 CAP 2015 program and objectives

The joint statement from the CST and the Rainbow Coalition indicates that CAP 2015 and its candidate are committed to the following objectives:

[translation]

to organize, as soon as possible, the fight to obtain constitutional, institutional and electoral reforms;

to facilitate the coming together of all political opposition forces around the fight for political change in 2015;

to implement a common agenda for managing the country over the next five years through an inclusive transition. (CST and Rainbow Coalition 31 Oct. 2014)

Similarly, the CAP 2015 leader stated that the CAP 2015 objectives were to [translation] "bring about change," "govern together" and implement reforms (CAP 2015 24 July 2015). Among other things, she stated that CAP 2015 had established a [translation] "mandate to transition out of the 'crisis'" that Togo has been experiencing since 1990 (ibid.). The CAP 2015 program, unveiled by Jean-Pierre Fabre on 8 April 2015, includes the following objectives:

rebuild the State by establishing democracy and rule of law;

mend the social fabric;

ensure the safety of persons and the protection of property throughout the country;

build a dynamic and sustainably prosperous economy;

undertake proactive social, cultural and sport policies;

empower women;

advance pragmatic diplomacy (ANC 12 Apr. 2015).

Similarly, the CAP 2015 leader listed the resolution of social problems and establishment of [translation] "benchmarks of democracy" among CAP 2015 objectives (CAP 24 July 2015).

2. Activities

Sources indicate that CAP 2015 lent its support, through a statement, to the people of Burkina Faso for having incited [translation] "the fall of the regime in power for the past 27 years" (APA 2 Nov. 2014; CAP 2015 31 Oct. 2014). In October 2014, demonstrations by thousands of Burkinans pushed President Blaise Compaoré to resign (La Croix with the AFP 31 Oct. 2014; Libération 31 Oct. 2014).

Sources report that on 21 November 2014, CAP 2015 took part in demonstrations to demand that reforms be implemented before the presidential election was held (Jeune Afrique 21 Nov. 2014; RFI 21 Nov. 2014). Other sources mention the involvement of CAP 2015 in a demonstration on 12 December 2014 demanding the same reforms (ACAT-Togo et al. 2015, 21; Œil d'Afrique 13 Dec. 2014).

A press release from the ANC states that in January 2015 CAP 2015 kicked off a [translation] "major national awareness and information tour" starting from the Savanes region (12 Mar. 2015). According to media, the objective of this tour was to introduce the people to Jean-Pierre Fabre (Ici Lomé 30 Jan. 2015; Le Canard indépendant 26 Jan. 2015). The CAP 2015 tour in the Savanes region began on 24 January 2015 (ibid.; Ici Lomé 30 Jan. 2015). It ended on 30 January 2015 (ANC 11 Feb. 2015). Sources indicate that the CAP 2015 tour picked up again in the Maritime region starting on 11 February 2015 (ibid.; Ici Lomé 12 Feb. 2015). According to the ANC, the tour in the Maritime region lasted for two weeks and then moved to the Plateaux region for seventeen days (12 Mar. 2015).

Sources indicate that in March 2015 CAP 2015 launched a fundraising campaign among the Togolese people to cover the costs related to collecting and securing ballots at the 9,000 polling stations during the presidential election (Liberté 12 Mar. 2015; APA 10 Mar. 2015).

According to sources, Jean-Pierre Fabre took part in two weeks of presidential campaigning in April 2015 (Jeune Afrique 24 Apr. 2015; RFI 24 Apr. 2015). These same sources report that this presidential campaign was peaceful (ibid.; Jeune Afrique 24 Apr. 2015).

The Togolese news website Togo Breaking News reports that on 9 May 2015, CAP 2015 organized a rally at a stadium in Lomé to protest the defeat of its candidate in the presidential election (Togo Breaking News 9 May 2015). According to sources, this is the first public rally in which Jean-Pierre Fabre participated following the presidential election (ibid.; AFreePress 7 May 2015).

Sources note that in July 2015, according to a CAP 2015 communications officer, Jean-Pierre Fabre left to tour Europe, particularly France, to assert his victory in the presidential election (ibid. 15 July 2015; Ici Lomé 12 July 2015).

2.1 Demonstration of 21 November 2014

In a press release issued in November 2014, member parties of CAP 2015 encouraged the people of Lomé and the surrounding area to take part in a [translation] "large, peaceful march" on 21 November 2014 "to demand the consensual adoption and implementation of constitutional, institutional and electoral reforms prior to any election in Togo" (CAP 2015 6 Nov. 2014).

Sources report that, in addition to the reforms sought by CAP 2015, one of the reasons underlying the demonstration of 21 November 2014 was to limit the number of presidential terms (Jeune Afrique 21 Nov. 2014; RFI 21 Nov. 2014).

According to sources, on 21 November 2014, thousands of opposition supporters marched outside Togo's National Assembly in Lomé, in spite of a ban on demonstrations at that location (IHS Global Insight 24 Nov. 2014; AFP 21 Nov. 2014). Sources also indicate that police officers used tear gas against the demonstrators to stop them from reaching the National Assembly building (ibid.; RFI 21 Nov. 2014). Sources report that the police also used jets of water to break up the demonstration (Jeune Afrique 21 Nov. 2014; Liberté [Nov. 2014]). According to the ANC party, in addition to the use of tear gas grenades, law enforcement also suppressed demonstrators using their [translation] "bare hands" and "striking them with batons" (ANC 22 Nov. 2014). Similarly, the Togo Association of Victims of Torture (Association des victimes de torture au Togo, ASVITTO), which is part of the CST (ACAT-Togo et al. 2015, 9), reports [translation] "beatings" and "blows using the butt of their firearms" (ASVITTO 25 Nov. 2014). Sources report that the demonstrators confronted police officers by throwing stones at them (Liberté [Nov. 2014]; ibid.) and set tires on fire (Jeune Afrique 21 Nov. 2014). However, the AFP states that only [translation] "a few" demonstrators set fire to tires (21 Nov. 2014).

According to Liberté, the Togolese daily newspaper of [translation] "the opposition" (Courrier international n.d.), the demonstration resulted in injuries and many arrests (Liberté [Nov. 2014]). Similarly, a correspondent for the television channel France 24 posted in Lomé reported two serious injuries: an ear was [translation] "ripped off" and a knee was "torn" (France 24 with the AFP 21 Nov. 2014). The ANC also reported two serious injuries, out of four injuries in total, but did not provide details about the injuries (ANC 22 Nov. 2014). According to the ANC, the demonstration led to the arrest of [translation] "many young activists and sympathizers" as well as "the arrest of the ANC's national secretary of security, Mr. Nayo, at his home" (ibid.). The ASVITTO reports the arrest of eight demonstrators (25 Nov. 2014). Additional information on the arrests related to the demonstration on 21 November 2014 could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

However, the AFP reports that [translation] "peace was quickly restored" after the confrontations between law enforcement and the demonstrators (21 Nov. 2014). According to Liberté, the confrontations between the demonstrators and law enforcement lasted ten minutes ([Nov. 2014]). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Notes

[1] The CST was founded on 4 April 2012 (ACAT-Togo et al. 2015, 9; ISS Oct. 2014, 4; Jeune Afrique 2 July 2012). According to Jeune Afrique, in 2012 it comprised eight civil society associations and six political parties (ibid.). According to a grouping of Togolese civil society organizations, in 2015 it comprises nine civil society associations and eight political parties (ACAT-Togo et al. 2015, 9).

[2] The Rainbow Coalition is a grouping of six political parties created in 2012 (ACAT-Togo et al. 2015, 9; L'Indépendant express 17 Aug. 2012).

References

Action des chrétiens pour l'abolition de la torture (ACAT-Togo), Association togolaise pour la défense et la promotion des droits humains (ATDPDH), Commission épiscopale Justice et Paix (CEJP), Groupe de réflexion et d'action pour le dialogue, la démocratie et le développement (GRAD), Solidarité et action pour le développement durable (SADD) and Syndicat national des praticiens hospitaliers du Togo (SYNPHOT). 2015. Démocratie à double vitesse, ambivalence d'un pouvoir qui tergiverse : rapport décennal 2005-2015 des organisations de la société civile du Togo. [Accessed 17 July 2015]

AFreePress. 15 July 2015. "Togo : Le CAP 2015 croit à l'avènement de l'alternance avant la fin de l'année 2015." [Accessed 15 July 2015]

_____. 7 May 2015. "Première manifestation publique du CAP 2015 au lendemain de la présidentielle du 25 avril 2015 : ce samedi 9 mai." [Accessed 22 July 2015]

Afriquinfos. 2 May 2015. Anani Galley. "Togo/Élection: Fabre conteste les résultats donnant Faure vainqueur." [Accessed 17 July 2015]

Agence de presse africaine (APA). 10 March 2015. "L'opposition togolaise veut mobiliser 135 millions de F.CFA pour sécuriser les résultats de la présidentielle." (Factiva)

_____. 2 November 2014. "L'opposition togolaise salue la 'bravoure' des Burkinabé." (Factiva)

Agence France-Presse (AFP). 29 April 2015. "Togo : L'opposant Jean-Pierre Fabre, officiellement battu, se considère comme le président élu." [Accessed 17 July 2015]

_____. 21 November 2014. "Togo : Des milliers de manifestants anti-gouvernement à Lomé, la police lance des gaz lacrymogènes ...." [Accessed 15 July 2015]

_____. 1 November 2014. "Togo's Main Opposition Leader to Run for President in 2015." (Factiva)

Alliance nationale pour le changement (ANC). 12 April 2015. "Jean-Pierre Fabre : 'Mes engagements pour le Togo'." [Accessed 15 July 2015]

_____. 14 March 2015. "Jean-Pierre Fabre aux Togolais : 'Choisissez l'alternance politique, et non pas un bout de route bitumée du RPT/UNIR'." [Accessed 17 July 2015]

_____. 12 March 2015. "Tournée nationale du CAP 2015 : Les leaders de CAP 2015 mettent le cap sur la région des Plateaux." [Accessed 20 July 2015]

_____. 11 February 2015. "CAP 2015 entame la 2ème phase de sa tournée nationale dans la région maritime." [Accessed 20 July 2015]

_____. 22 November 2014. "Marche pacifique de CAP 2015 sauvagement réprimée à coup de matraques et gaz lacrymogène par le régime RPT/Unir." [Accessed 14 July 2015]

Association des victimes de torture au Togo (ASVITTO). 25 November 2014. "ASVITTO - Togo : déclaration relative à la répression de l'opposition du 21 novembre." [Accessed 17 July 2015]

Le Canard indépendant. 26 January 2015. "Togo : Cap-2015 en tournée dans les Savanes." [Accessed 20 July 2015]

Collectif sauvons le Togo (CST) and Coalition arc-en-ciel. 31 October 2014. "Proclamation des résultats des travaux du 'Conclave'." [Accessed 14 July 2015]

Combat pour l'alternance politique (CAP) 2015. 24 July 2015. Telephone interview with a leader.

_____. 6 November 2014. "Grande marche à Lomé le 21 novembre 2014, organisée par CAP 2015, pour exiger les réformes politiques avant toute élection au Togo." [Accessed 14 July 2015]

_____. 31 October 2014. Press release. [Accessed 28 July 2015]

Courrier international. N.d. "Liberté." [Accessed 17 July 2015]

La Croix with the Agence France-Presse (AFP). 31 October 2014. Marianne Meunier. "Au Burkina Faso, Blaise Compaoré démissionne." [Accessed 28 July 2015]

Focus infos. 9 March 2015. "Cap 2015 s'effrite… encore." [Accessed 14 July 2015]

France 24 with the Agence France-Presse (AFP). 21 November 2014. "À Lomé, la police togolaise repousse les manifestants de l'opposition." [Accessed 17 July 2015]

Go Africa Online. N.d. "NAP Afrique-Monde (Nouvelle agence de presse Afrique-Monde)." [Accessed 16 July 2015]

Ici Lomé. 12 July 2015. "Jean-Pierre Fabre en tournée en Europe pour prouver sa victoire." [Accessed 15 July 2015]

_____. 12 February 2015. "CAP 2015 entame une seconde tournée dans la région maritime." [Accessed 15 July 2015]

_____. 30 January 2015. "Savanes / CAP 2015 et son candidat confrontés au diktat de plusieurs chefs cantons : prémisses d'une campagne électorale tumultueuse pour l'opposition." [Accessed 15 July 2015]

IHS Global Insight. 24 November 2014. Sarah Covington. "Potential of Increased Political Violence in Togo's Capital Raises Property Damage and Injury Risks to Bystanders." (Factiva)

L'Indépendant express. 17 August 2012. "CST/Arc-en-ciel : union pour la cause." [Accessed 15 July 2015]

Institute for Security Studies (ISS). October 2014. Rapport sur la paix et la sécurité dans l'espace CEDEAO : dialogue de sourds au Togo à l'approche des élections de 2015. No 10. [Accessed 16 July 2015]

Jean-Pierre-Fabre-2015.com. N.d. "Équipe de campagne Présidentielles 2015 Togo du candidat Jean-Pierre Fabre (CAP2015)". [Accessed 15 July 2015]

Jeune Afrique. 24 April 2015. Edmond D'Almeida. "Togo : La campagne pour la présidentielle s'est achevée dans le calme." [Accessed 15 July 2015]

_____. 21 November 2014. Edmond D'Almeida. "Togo : À Lomé, une manifestation de l'opposition dégénère." [Accessed 15 July 2015]

_____. 2 July 2012. Stéphane Ballong. "'Sauvons le Togo' : citoyens ou opposants ?" [Accessed 14 July 2015]

Koaci. 31 October 2014. "Togo - Présidentielle 2015 : Jean-Pierre Fabre désigné candidat unique par le conclave de l'opposition." [Accessed 16 July 2015]

Libération. 31 October 2014. Maria Malagardis. "Le Burkina Faso a eu raison de Blaise Compaoré." [Accessed 23 July 2015]

Liberté. 12 March 2015. "Togo - Présidentielle 2015 : Pourquoi le 'Fabreton' gêne-t-il autant le pouvoir Faure? Hein?." [Accessed 20 July 2015]

_____. [November 2014]. "Mobilisation record, répressions et arrestations massives de manifestants et violences contre les journalistes." [Accessed 15 July 2015]

Nouvelle Agence de presse (NAP) Afrique-Monde. 31 October 2014. "Le candidat unique du Combat pour l'alternance politique en 2015 est Jean-Pierre Fabre." [Accessed 16 July 2015]

Œil d'Afrique. 13 December 2014. Didier Assogba. "Togo : L'opposition et la société civile exigent la limitation de mandat avant l'élection de 2015." [Accessed 22 July 2015]

Radio France internationale (RFI). 4 May 2015. "Faure Gnassingbé réélu, le camp de Fabre conteste cette victoire." [Accessed 17 July 2015]

_____. 24 April 2015. "Togo : La campagne présidentielle s'est déroulée dans le calme." [Accessed 28 July 2015]

_____. 21 November 2014. "Togo : marches pour et contre toute révision constitutionnelle." [Accessed 15 July 2015]

Savoir News. 10 March 2015. Edem Etonam Ekue. "Départ de M. Kagbara du CAP 2015 : 'Ce sont des coups qui peuvent arriver dans une lutte, et nous savons d'où ça vient' (Mme Adjamagbo-Johnson)." [Accessed 14 July 2015]

Togo. 3 May 2015. Constitutional court. "Présidentielle 2015 : résultats définitifs de l'élection présidentielle du 25 avril 2015." [Accessed 15 July 2015]

Togo Breaking News. 9 May 2015. "Ce que fera Jean-Pierre Fabre pour faire reconnaître sa 'victoire' à la présidentielle de 2015." [Accessed 28 July 2015]

Additional Sources Consulted

Internet sites, including: Africa Confidential; Africa Research Bulletin; Afrik.com; AllAfrica; Amnesty International; British Broadcasting Corporation; ecoi.net; Fédération internationale des ligues des droits de l'homme; Freedom House; Human Rights Watch; International Crisis Group; Political Handbook of the World; Refworld; United Nations - Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights; United States - Department of State; Voice of America; World Organization Against Torture.