The Patronat de la presse togolaise (PPT) has urged the Togolese government to take immediate action to guarantee a safe and free environment for journalists. This call comes two years after six journalists were violently attacked at the Convention Démocratique des Peuples Africains (CDPA) in Lomé on September 29, 2024. The journalists, including Yvette Sossou, Godfrey Akpa, Hyacinthe Gbloédjro, Yawo Klousse, Romuald Koffi Lansou, and Albert Agbeko, were covering a citizen meeting attended by Senegalese deputy Guy Marius Sagna.
On the day of the attack, the journalists had their equipment seized and thrown into a well. Despite the severity of the incident, the PPT has expressed outrage over the government's silence and inaction in the case. Two years on, no one has been held accountable, and no official updates on the investigations have been provided. The PPT has denounced this lack of progress, emphasizing that the absence of any action is tantamount to impunity.
The PPT has made two key demands: the immediate acceleration of judicial procedures and the identification and apprehension of those responsible for the violence. The organization also calls for an investigation into the inaction of the security forces present at the scene, who failed to intervene during the attack. This lack of response is considered a serious dereliction of duty and should lead to administrative investigations and disciplinary action.
The PPT's president, Honoré Kokouda Adontui, has questioned the government's indifference to the attack, highlighting the risks this poses to press freedom and the public's right to information. The organization has reaffirmed its solidarity with the victims and pledged to support them in their quest for justice. The PPT emphasizes that the government's inaction undermines the fundamental principles of a democratic society.
The attack on the journalists has been widely condemned, and the PPT's statement underscores the urgent need for the Togolese government to address the issue. The organization stresses that a safe and secure environment is essential for journalists to carry out their work without fear of reprisal or violence. The PPT's demands reflect the concerns of the international community regarding press freedom and the safety of journalists.
The incident has sparked concerns about the state of press freedom in Togo and the government's commitment to protecting journalists. The PPT's call for action highlights the need for the government to demonstrate its willingness to uphold the principles of a free and independent press. The organization's efforts to seek justice for the victims are seen as a crucial step towards ensuring that such attacks do not recur.
The PPT's statement concludes by emphasizing the importance of government accountability and the need for concrete actions to address the concerns of the journalism community. The organization's demands are clear, and it remains to be seen how the government will respond to the call for action.
Key points
- PPT demands acceleration of judicial procedures and identification of those responsible for the 2024 attack on journalists.
- Government's inaction has been criticized, with PPT calling for an investigation into the role of security forces present at the scene.
- PPT emphasizes the need for a safe and secure environment for journalists to carry out their work without fear of reprisal or violence.
