The Executive Director of the West African Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), Chukwuemeka Eze, says the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) should have assembled for an emergency meeting by now given happenings in Togo.
He says the sub-regional bloc should have convened an extraordinary summit under a certificate of urgency as the chairman of its Authority of Heads of State and Government, Faure Gnassingbe, may not be dispassionate to call for it.
There has been recent political tension in Togo as the Coalition of Opposition Parties is demanding the resignation of President Gnassingbe as it seeks to bring that the Gnassingbe dynasty to an end.
Nationwide protest rallies held the weekend of August 20 saw the death of two persons.
There were reported clashes in cities across the country as tension reached high pitch in opposition stronghold Sokode.
Fresh opposition rallies are scheduled to be held on September 6-7 while government supporters have also vowed to hold counter rallies on the said days.
Speaking on TV3’s Hot Issues on Saturday, the WANEP boss said the happenings in the Francophone country should be cause of worry for neighbouring countries.
“I think by now the [Ecowas] Commission should think about an extraordinary summit,” he poured out.
He said the situation in Togo is gradually gravitating towards civil war but the sub-regional body seems to be looking on unconcerned.
President Gnassingbe is the current chair of Authority, an impetus to the opposition parties’ agitations.
They claim as chair, their president is presiding over democratic infractions at home.
But they have extended a welcoming hand to Ghana’s Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo if he is willing to mediate the crisis.
Mr Eze says Ghana will be hardest hit if anything unpleasant happens in Togo.
He questioned the sub-regional body’s reaction in comparison to upheavals in The Gambia.
“It is not the same speed with which we are acting with Togo as we acted with Gambia.”
By Emmanuel Kwame Amoh|3news.com|Ghana