This January 13, 2025, an emblematic date in the political history of Togo, takes a new turn with calls from opponents to mark the day with peaceful mobilizations. A day full of symbolism, that of the assassination of Sylvanus Olympio, first president of Togo, which occurred in 1963, becomes this year a strong moment of resistance and demand for change, far from the usual commemorations.
On January 13, 1963, Sylvanus Olympio, leader of Togo's independence, was killed during the first military coup in sub-Saharan Africa. This tragedy marks the beginning of a long period of political instability, leading to the rise of Gnassingbé Eyadéma to power in 1967, then to the succession of his son, Faure Gnassingbé, in 2005. Historically, this date was also the one when the Eyadéma regime celebrated the military takeover of January 13, 1967. However, in 2005, after the death of his father, Faure Gnassingbé decides to reorient the commemoration of this day, away from major national celebrations. This year, opposition parties are reinvesting this day to express their desire for change, transforming what was a symbol of consolidation of power into a moment of resistance.
Tikpi Atchadam calls for a day of national mourning
Since his exile, Tikpi Atchadam, leader of the Pan-African National Party (PNP), has published a strong message in view of the day of January 13, 2025. In a call for mobilization, he declares: “January 13, 2025 will be the withdrawal of the ocean before the tsunami, the silence before the storm. Expressing his wish to see Faure Gnassingbé leave power, Atchadam underlines the importance of this symbolic day in “the peaceful struggle” for democracy. He also clarifies that his call is not an invitation to join his party, but to unite to demand the departure of the current president.
“This day of mourning is an act of resistance. It announces the imminence of change for Togo,” he asserts, while paying tribute to Sylvanus Olympio and drawing attention to the political situation in the country.
-The MLN opts for a spiritual vigil
For its part, the National Liberation Movement (MLN), led by Kofi Yamgnane, favors a more spiritual approach. On the occasion of the anniversary of the assassination of Sylvanus Olympio, the MLN is organizing a spiritual vigil on the night of January 12 to 13, 2025. In a press release, Yamgnane insists on the importance of this date, which he considers as the beginning of a long period of suffering for the Togolese people: “This heinous act shattered our independence and opened the way to a dictatorial regime,” he declared. The MLN invites Togolese to mark this day with demonstrations of collective mourning, by wearing black clothes and singing the national anthem as a sign of resistance.
The prayers and spiritual vigils, called by the MLN, aim to “break the evil chains” which, according to them, keep the country under the influence of the Gnassingbé family. This movement also calls for prayer for the liberation of Togo and peaceful action to regain national sovereignty.
These calls for mobilization found a favorable response among many Togolese, who began to spread images and stickers bearing the image of Sylvanus Olympio on social networks. However, the question remains whether these events will translate into physical gatherings, as political demonstrations and opposition groups have often been repressed in recent years.
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