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Catholic Bishops in Togo Appeal for “peaceful atmosphere” Months to Local Elections

Members of the Episcopal Conference of Togo (CET). Credit: CET

By Jude Atemanke

Lome, 17 June, 2023 / 8:41 pm (ACI Africa).

Catholic Bishops in Togo are appealing for “a peaceful atmosphere” ahead of Legislative and Regional elections scheduled for December this year.

In the statement issued Friday, June 16 following their 133rd Ordinary Plenary Session, members of the Episcopal Conference of Togo (CET) also call for the release of all political prisoners.

“The electoral census that has just been carried out launches our country toward the next elections,” Catholic Bishops in Togo say in their statement in which they “urge everyone to take the necessary steps to ensure a peaceful atmosphere.”

CET members call on relevant authorities “to keep in their sights respect for freedoms of all kinds.”

They also call on the government “to release all political prisoners.”

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On June 3, Togo concluded an electoral census in preparation for the regional and legislative elections in December on a date that is yet to be confirmed.

The April 29 to June 3 operation proposed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is expected to lead to the establishment of the electoral lists, a crucial step in the electoral process.

The Togolese opposition group, the Dynamics for the Majority of the People (DMP), denounced irregularities relating to the registration process. DMP members alleged that minors as well as foreigners had been included in the electoral list. 

In their June 16 collective statement, CET members urge every Togolese “in this month of June, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, to have a heart like the Heart of Christ, burning with love for humanity.”

The Catholic Bishops in Togo also express their solidarity with Pope Francis who was discharged from hospital after surgery on June 16. They invoke the Lord to “grant him a speedy recovery for the continuation of his mission.”

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Jude Atemanke

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.

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