Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Situation in Togo

March 1, 2005

Japan welcomes the announcement on 25 February 2005 by Mr. Faure Gnassingbe that he will resign from being "president" of the Republic of Togo. After Nyashinbe Eyadema, the former president of the Republic of Togo, passed away on 5 February, Mr. Faure was announced as the new President, without any democratic procedures, which brought criticism from within the country and outside it.
Japan respects the efforts exerted by the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in this matter, and hopes that the presidential election which is anticipated in the near future will be conducted in a transparent and fair manner, in accordance with the Togolese people's will.

(END)