Annan urges efforts to solve crisis in Togo after its suspension by West African group

With regional talks aimed at ending Togo's constitutional crisis at an impasse, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today pressed for action to resolve the country's situation peacefully.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has suspended Togo's membership after talks between the group and that country's authorities failed to advance.

In a statement released by his spokesman, the Secretary-General reiterated his call for “continued and urgent efforts to find a peaceful solution consistent with constitutional order and the rule of law.”

Togo has been engulfed in political turmoil since its long-serving President, Gnassingbe Eyadema, died on 5 February. In a break with the constitutional succession process, his son, cabinet minister Faure Gnassingbe, was appointed Head of State shortly thereafter.

The constitution, which required that the President of the National Assembly become acting president until fresh elections were held within 60 days, was hastily amended.