Presidential election in Togo: Archbishop Emeritus Mgr Kpodzro supports Agbéyomé Kodjo

Text by: RFI Follow

After having worked to designate Agbéyomé Kodjo as the sole candidate of the opposition, Mgr Philippe Kpodzro enthroned him during a religious service in a church in the capital by handing him the national flag. And now he is on the ground with former Prime Minister Gabriel Agbéyomé Kodjo to fight the campaign.

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With our correspondent in Lomé, Peter Sassou Dogbe

Night falls on Tsévié that day, the long convoy of the candidate Gabriel Agbéyomé Kodjo arrives in the courtyard of the primary school of Wémé. Bishop Philippe Kpodzro's vehicle comes to a standstill. The Archbishop Emeritus of Lomé is preparing to host his last meeting of the day with his candidate, his voice barely audible. Asked about the reason for this support, he replied: " From my commitment, I would simply like to retain the alternation ... "

Aged 90, the prelate who moves by leaning on his cane says: " I am not in an election campaign, I am accompanying the one I have chosen ". For Archbishop Phillippe Kpodzro, his commitment is a choice " like Jesus who took sides for the sick, the poor and the widows, I am with a population which suffers and which ardently aspires to a political alternation ".

But this unprecedented engagement of a retired prelate is annoying. First the government: Christian Trimua, Minister for Human Rights, fears a Catholic fundamentalism by this displayed attitude of the prelate.

The Togolese bishops are more than annoyed, " we do not agree " confides Mgr Benoît Alowonou, president of the Conference of bishops of Togo (CET), and to conclude " it is not the role of a bishop to choose a presidential candidate. "

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• Togo

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