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Annan congratulates West African leaders on positive role in Togo's political crisis

Annan congratulates West African leaders on positive role in Togo's political crisis

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today thanked the leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for the constructive role they played in the crisis over political succession in Togo that erupted with the death of long-time President Gnassingbe Eyadema in February.

The potentially disastrous consequences for Togo and its neighbours made a negotiated outcome imperative, he said in a message to the ECOWAS summit meeting in the Nigerian capital, Abuja.

ECOWAS, collaborating with the African Union (AU) had contributed to re-establishing constitutional order in Togo and the UN has supported their initiatives to help the Togolese people build a state ruled by law in prosperity and peace, he said.

Mr. Annan said he was pleased over the attachment of African institutions to promoting and respecting democracy, good governance and the rule of law, and he assured them that the United Nations would continue to support them in this noble enterprise.