Togo: Protesters Demand The Remains Of Murdered Commander Madjoulba

Togolese soldiers patrol the streets of Lomé on February 24 when President Faure Gnassingbé has just been re-elected. PIUS UTOMI EKPEI / AFP

Text by: RFI Follow

A judicial investigation is underway to determine the circumstances of the death of Bita Madjoulba. In parallel, a commission of inquiry was created by the authorities. Twice in the course of the week, demonstrations took place in the north of the country, more specifically towards Doufelgou, to demand an impartial investigation and especially the rapid repatriation of the victim's remains.

Publicity

Read more

Ten days ago, Bita Madjoulba, the commander of the 1st Rapid Intervention Battalion (BIR) was found shot dead in his office. A death all the more mysterious that it occurred the day after the inauguration of President Faure Gnassingbé.

Four days after a first demonstration, the inhabitants of Siou (where the victim was from) and surrounding municipalities took to the streets on Monday, this time in Niamtougou, to demand the urgent repatriation of the victim's body. Some incidents have broken out between protesters and the police.

Bitala Madjoulba belonged to the Lossos ethnic group. However, according to their customs, people who have died of violent death must be buried quickly. Why is the body of the victim who is currently in the Lomé morgue so slow to be repatriated?

Probably because all the analyzes have not yet been carried out. At least that is what a government source suggests. The prosecutor says he has not yet received the medical examiner's report. Even if no complaint has been filed by the victim's family to date, the investigation continues. It was entrusted to a gendarmerie unit, the central criminal investigation service.

In parallel, a commission of inquiry has been set up by the authorities to shed light on this case. A commission chaired by the Minister of Security, Yark Damehane…

Newsletter Receive all international news directly in your mailbox

I subscribe

Follow all international news by downloading the RFI application

google-play-badge_FR

  • Togo

On the same subject

Togo: an investigation opened after the death of Colonel Bitala Madjoulba

Togo: Faure Gnassingbé invested for a fourth presidential term