Information available to the DIRB indicates
that Gilchrist Olympio, leader of the Union for Change (UFC) has
not returned to Togo since his departure in May 1992. According to
an Inter Press Service (IPS) report of 19 August 1993, Olympio
narrowly escaped death when his convey was ambushed in northern
Togo, allegely by Eyadema loyalists. He reportedly spent many
months recovering in a Paris hospital (IPS 15 Mar. 1994).
Olympio was barred from contesting the
country's recent presidential elections on medical grounds (IPS 19
Aug. 1993; Reuters 11 Aug. 1993). Olympio reportedly wanted to
return to Togo through Ghana to contest the elections, but Ghana
stopped him for fear that he might be assassinated (Reuters 11 Aug.
1993). An IPS report states that it would have been difficult for
him to return as the military regime had apparently issued a
warrant for his arrest after President Eyadema accused him of
masterminding an insurrection in March 1993 (IPS 19 Aug 1993). As a
result, the UFC boycotted the elections (Reuters 25 Nov. 1993).
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible
information currently available to the DIRB within time
constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be,
conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee
status or asylum.
Inter Press Service (IPS). 15 March
1994. Peter da Costa. "Togo-Politics: Opposition Win Raises
Prospect of Power-Sharing." (NEXIS)
_____. 19 August 1993. Peter da Costa.
"Togo: Political Intrigue Does Not Augur Well for Multi-partyism."
(NEXIS)
Reuters. 25 November 1993. BC Cycle.
Apedo Amah. "Togo Blocks Visit by Foreign Parliamentarians."
(NEXIS)
_____. 11 August 1993. BC Cycle. "Togo
Too Dangerous, Ghanaians Tell Olympio." (NEXIS)
Inter Press Service (IPS). 15 March
1994. Peter da Costa. "Togo-Politics: Opposition Win Raises
Prospect of Power-Sharing." (NEXIS)
_____. 19 August. 1993. Peter da Costa.
"Togo: Political Intrigue Does Not Augur Well for Multi-partyism."
(NEXIS)
Reuters. 25 November 1993. BC Cycle.
Apedo Amah. "Togo Blocks Visit by Foreign Parliamentarians."
(NEXIS)
_____. 11 August 1993. BC Cycle. "Togo
Too Dangerous, Ghanaians Tell Olympio." (NEXIS)