Togo coup attempt

President's brother still missing after a month

Article published on the 2009-05-20 Latest update 2009-05-20 10:29 TU

Kpatcha Gnassingbé, brother of Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé, at his hom in Lome on 13 April
(Photo: Reuters)

Faure Gnassingbé, the President of Togo said on Tuesday that the country is still under his government's control, a month after a suspected coup attempt. His half-brother, Kpatcha Gnassingbé, who was allegedly involved in the coup and apparently arrested, although his whereabouts is still unclear.

Gnassingbé met Nigerian President Umaru Yar’Adua in Abuja on Tuesday to explain the situation in Togo. Yar’Adua is the chairman of Ecowas – the Economic Community of West African States.

“I came today to give an account of the situation and to tell him [Yar’Adua] that the situation is under control,” he said.

Thirty people were arrested following the alleged coup, including both of Faure Gnassingbé’s brothers, Kpatcha and Essolizam, plus other civilians and soldiers. But it is not known where they are being held, and no list of those arrested has been made public.

It is thought that Kpatcha, who was previously Defence Minister, considers this more a family issue than a political matter. Opposition politicians have demanded a parliamentary debate on the issue.

Meanwhile, Faure is making changes to the army, which is suspected of involvement in the alleged coup.

On Sunday Gnassingbé reshuffled his cabinet. Armed forces chief General Zakari Nandja was made Minister of Water and Sanitation.