Togo mourns one of its emblematic high-ranking officers. General Akawilou Sizing Walla, former minister and influential figure in the Togolese army, died on January 5, 2025 following a long illness. This senior officer, well known to the Togolese press in the 2000s, leaves behind him an indelible mark on national political life.
General Akawilou Sizing Walla had quickly risen through the ranks of the Togolese army, becoming one of its central figures in the 1990s.
His strategic skills and his sense of discipline have earned him numerous distinctions in Togo, notably under General Gnassingbé Eyadèma.
In addition to his military career, General Walla has held prominent political positions. Former Director General of the Gendarmerie, he held the influential position of Minister of the Interior and Security in the 2000s. It was under the regime of President Gnassingbé Eyadéma, where he was a central actor in the management security and strategic affairs of the country.
The Almighty General Akawilou Sizing Walla
At the time, General Walla had a tumultuous relationship with the press. He constantly seized newspapers whose content was deemed critical of the power in place.
The minister relied on article 108 of the old version of the Press Code which states:The Minister responsible for the Interior and Security may, within the framework of his police powers, order, by order, the seizure of copies of any publication put on sale, distributed or exhibited to the public, the content of which constitutes offenses (…) ».
General Akawilou Sizing Walla did not hesitate to accuse journalists of failing to respect ethical rules and of inciting the people to revolt. Or again, he accused them of attacking the institutions of the Republic.
The general officer was most often criticized for his role in politically sensitive times.
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