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TOGO-GOVERNMENT-POLITICS
Togo prime minister and government resign
LOME, Sept 26, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Togo’s prime minister and his government
have resigned, the West African nation’s presidency said late Friday.
President Faure Gnassingbe congratulated prime minister Komi Selom Klassou
and his team for their “economic, political and social efforts and the
encouraging results despite the health crisis around the world”, a statement
on the presidency’s official website said.
Togo has been due for a political reshuffle since Gnassingbe was reelected
in February for a fourth term in office, but changes were delayed by the
coronavirus pandemic.
The president’s election win, which came after a constitutional change
allowing him to run, extended more than a half-century of dynastic rule over
the former French colony by the Gnassingbe family.
The victory was disputed by the main opposition challenger, who has faced
official harassment in the wake of the vote.
The president has led the country of eight million people since taking
over in 2005 following the death of his father Gnassingbe Eyadema, who ruled
for 38 years.
Klassou has served as prime minister since 2015.
Togo’s economy has been hit by the pandemic as the authorities have
imposed restrictions to limit the spread of the virus.
The country has recorded 1,722 infections and 44 Covid-19 deaths.
BSS/AFP/1043 hrs