Today in African History

In 1998, Togo's electoral process was disrupted when a general orchestrated a coup during the election. As the vote count progressed and President Eyadéma found himself falling behind, the general seized control and abruptly halted the counting process. Exploiting the power of the military, he declared himself the winner, disregarding the democratic principles of a fair and transparent election.
The people of Togo, frustrated by this blatant manipulation, took to the streets in protest against the coup and the illegitimate declaration. Tragically, the military responded with brutal force, resulting in the fatal shooting of hundreds of citizens. The violent crackdown on the demonstrations highlighted the extent to which the military regime was willing to go to maintain its grip on power, instilling fear and suppressing any dissenting voices.
The events left a lasting scar on Togo's political landscape, underscoring the challenges faced by the country in achieving genuine democratic governance and protection of civil liberties.