On September 29, 2024, six Togolese journalists were assaulted while covering a meeting at the Convention démocratique des peuples africains (CDPA) headquarters in Lomé. The journalists, including Yvette Sossou, Godfrey Akpa, Hyacinthe Gbloédzro, Yawo Klousse, Romuald Koffi Lansou, and Albert Agbeko, were there to cover a citizen meeting attended by Senegalese MP and ECOWAS parliamentarian Guy Marius Sagna. The meeting quickly turned violent, with attendees throwing chairs and objects at the podium.
The journalists were caught in the midst of the chaos and were directly targeted by the aggressors. Their equipment, including phones, recorders, and other essential tools, was confiscated and thrown into a well. The loss of this equipment was not only a financial blow but also a significant impact on their ability to perform their jobs. The journalists described the scene as terrifying, with fear, confusion, and panic prevailing.
The Togolese journalists have expressed concerns about the lack of intervention by law enforcement, who were present at the scene but failed to act. Questions have been raised about their role and whether they had received instructions not to intervene. The incident has highlighted the need for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the violence and the identification of those responsible.
In the aftermath of the assault, the authorities announced that procedures would be opened to establish the facts and identify those responsible. However, two years later, the journalists are still waiting for answers. They have submitted their testimonies to the authorities and are seeking justice through the proper channels.
The journalists have described the experience as traumatic, with lasting impacts on their well-being and trust in the system. They are not seeking revenge or special treatment but rather a truthful account of what happened and for those responsible to be held accountable. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of journalists in Togo and the need for a free and independent press.
The case has also sparked questions about the presence of "militia" or "thugs" at the meeting and how they were able to carry out the assault. The journalists are seeking answers about who was responsible, how they were mobilized, and how they were able to access the premises.
The journalists' ordeal is a stark reminder of the risks faced by those in the media and the importance of a functioning justice system. As they continue to wait for justice, they are calling for the authorities to take their case seriously and provide them with the answers they deserve.
Key points
- The Togolese journalists were assaulted while covering a meeting at the CDPA headquarters in Lomé on September 29, 2024.
- The journalists' equipment was confiscated and thrown into a well, and they are still waiting for justice two years later.
- The incident has raised concerns about the safety of journalists in Togo and the need for a free and independent press.
