Togo: The Togolese Union for Democracy a.k.a. the Union for Togolese Democracy (UTD - Union togolaise pour la démocratie, including its leadership, activities and treatment of its members by government security forces (1998-October 2001)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 15 November 2001 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | TGO38016.E |
| Reference | 5 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Togo: The Togolese Union for Democracy a.k.a. the Union for Togolese Democracy (UTD - Union togolaise pour la démocratie, including its leadership, activities and treatment of its members by government security forces (1998-October 2001), 15 November 2001, TGO38016.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3df4beb020.html [accessed 1 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
"On the evening of May 15 [ 1998], Dr. Tona Pierre Adigo, a founding member of the Togolese League for Human Rights (LTDH) and of the opposition Togolese Union for Democracy (UTD) party, was killed and burned in his car on a street in Lome, the capital" (Country Reports 1998, 1999 Sect. 1. a). "A witness reportedly claimed that security personnel stopped Adigo's car and that a military jeep left the scene as the car burst into flames" (ibid.).
The Political Handbook of the World: 1999 names Adan Messan Ajavon as the Secretary General of the UTD (970).
In 1999, the Togolese Union for Democracy (UTD) joined the Action Party for Democracy (PAD – Party d'action pour la démocratie), the Democratic Party for Unity (PDU–Parti des démocrates pour l'Unité) and the Democratic Union for Solidarity (UDS–Union pour la démocratie et la solidarité) to form the Panafrican Patriotic Coalition (CPP) (Europa 2000, 3574; AFP 30 Apr. 1999; Africa Research Bulletin Sept. 1999, 1354). The former UTD chairman, Edem Kodjo (Political Handbook of the World 1999, 970) acts as president of the newly formed party, the CPP (AFP 31 Aug. 2001; Europa 2000; The World Factbbook 2000). A 24 October 2001 Centre for Democracy & Development (CDD) report stated that "in 1999, Edem Kodjo joined forces with other opposition leaders like Jean Sanve de Tové and Cornelius Aidam, to form the Convergence Patriotique Panafricaine (CPP) which so far has played a moderating role in trying to bring the protracted political crisis in Togo under control. Edem Kodjo has yet to announce whether he intends to run for president in 2003."
Information on the existence of the UTD in the Togolese political scene after 1999 could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
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 to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Agence France Presse (AFP). 31 August 2001. "L'opposition lance un appel aux facilitateurs intertogolais."
_____. 30 April 1999. "Four Togo Opposition Parties Merger to Form New Party." (NEXIS)
Africa Research Bulletin [London0. 23 September 1999. Vol. 36, No 8. "Togo: Opposition Party Meger."
Centre for Democracy & Development (CPP). 24 October 2001. "Togo – Stalled Democratic Transition."
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1998. 1999. United States Department of State. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office.
[Accessed 14 Nov. 2001]
The Europa World Year Book 2000. 2000. 41st ed. Vol. 2. London: Europa Publications.
Political Handbook of the World: 1999. 1999. Edited by Arthur S. Banks, Thomas C. Muller. Binghamton, NY: CSA Publications.
Political Handbook of the World: 1999. 1999. Edited by Arthur S. Banks, Thomas C. Muller. Binghamton, NY: CSA Publications.
The World Factbook 2000. 2000. Pittsburgh: CIA. "Political Parties and Leaders."
Additional Sources Consulted
Africa Confidential 1998-2001.
Jeune Afrique/L'Intelligent. 1998-2001.
Lettre de la FIDH 1998-2001.
IRB databases.
LEXIS/NEXIS.
Resource Centre country file. Togo. 1998-2001.
West Africa 1998-2001.
Internet sites including:
Amnesty International.
BBC Online.
Human Rights Internet (HRI).
Human Rights Watch.
International Crisis Group (ICG).
Missionary Service News Agency (MISNA).
Panafrican News Agency (PANA).
ReliefWeb.
United Nations Commission for Human Rights.
Internet search engines:
Lycos.
Metacrawler.
Dogpile.
