Anatomy of A Succession

Director:  Augustin Batita Talakeana
2009, France, Togo, 52’, color
French with Turkish subtitles

President Gnassingbe Eyadéma died February 5, 2005 after ruling supreme for 38 years over his country and being viewed as immortal.  The street emptied and the market closed when the new of his death was broken.  The army in favor of the ruling party took advantage of the absence of the president of the Assembly to pronounce his son Faure Gnassingbe president, which was not to conformity with the constitution.  This triggered a general outcry among the opposition in Togo and the international community.  After several weeks of demonstrations he was urged to resign.  Consequently the vice-president of the Assembly was chosen to lead the transition government.  Elections were organized.  The opposition said they rigged, which gave rise to a rekindled movement of discontent.  The demonstrations were violently suppressed by the army to bring back thus sending thousands of refugees across the borders.  

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