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| Africa: Subsaharan |
| 13 Die in Stampede Near Togo Palace |
| 2004-11-20 |
| A celebration at the gates of Togo's presidential palace turned into a stampede Saturday, killing at least 13 people as excited crowds tried to surge onto palace grounds in the capital of the tiny West African nation. Officials warned that the death toll could climb, as hospitals treated scores of other victims. The celebration was called to mark the easing of 11 years of European Union sanctions against President Gnassingbe Eyadema, Africa's longest-ruling leader. Large crowds of Eyadema's party members and others marched through the capital Saturday to the palace. When the palace gates were thrown open to admit them, the crushing throngs of celebrants tried to push through at once. Men and women's shoes and flip-flops, torn off in the crush, lay abandoned at the gates Saturday after the stampede. A government statement put the death toll at 13. Aid workers still were treating at least 50 people trampled by the crowd. The European Union announced Monday it would resume limited aid work with Togo, supporting humanitarian and human-rights projects only. The union suspended aid to Togo in 1993 after government forces allegedly killed hundreds during election violence. Most other international aid also has been suspended. EU officials said Monday they had noted initial moves toward democratic and human-rights reforms by Eyadema's regime but that full aid would resume only when Togo holds free and fair legislative elections. Government spokesman Pitang Tchalla said organizers of Saturday's celebration "underestimated the enthusiasm of participants who turned out in unexpected large numbers for today's event, meant to express thanks to the European Union and support for President Eyadema." Eyadema has ruled tiny Togo for 37 years. He assumed power in 1967, after leading Africa's first post-independence coup in 1963. Worldwide, only Fidel Castro has held power longer. |
| Posted by:Fred |