Togo purges its violent past with voodoo ceremonies

The government brushed off the accusation and claimed the incident had been staged with bodies taken from the city mortuary.

“Ceremonies took place next to this lagoon to appease the spirits of the people and all of this country’s children who spilled their blood,” said Gnagblondjro.

“In Africa there always has to be purification ceremonies after violent deaths,” said the voodoo chief, in traditional robes and traditional hat.

“After this ceremony, human blood must no longer flow. The oracles are asking the forces of law and order to stop firing on people.

“They are also requesting the people not to provoke them.”

– ‘Con-trick’ –

Togo set up a truth, justice and reconciliation commission to shed light on political violence between 1958 — when France announced that it would grant independence — and 2005, and study ways of compensating victims.

The current president’s father, Gnassingbe Eyadema, led Togo with an iron fist from 1967 until his death in 2005.

In 2011 the commission held a series of private hearings, which allowed it to identify 22,415 victims eligible for payment.

A total of 2,475 were paid from an allocation of 2.0 billion CFA francs ($3.4 million, 3.0 million euros). More are expected to be paid after the purification ceremonies, the government said.

No one has ever been tried and convicted for the violence in 2005, which has led to criticism from human rights and opposition groups.

Gnassingbe has been repeatedly urged to end impunity.

Francis Pedro Amuzu, from the political bureau of the main opposition National Alliance for Change (ANC) party, said it had asked its members to stay away from the ceremonies.

He called the events “a con-trick”, adding: “The ‘executioners’ must first recognise that they have committed crimes and ask the people for forgiveness.”