Ghana: Information on attempts by the Ghanaian army to overthrow the government of Togo between 1986 and 1994, in particular attempts on 23 September 1994 and on 3 January 1994
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 November 1995 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | GHA22337.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ghana: Information on attempts by the Ghanaian army to overthrow the government of Togo between 1986 and 1994, in particular attempts on 23 September 1994 and on 3 January 1994, 1 November 1995, GHA22337.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab9528.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
According to Radio Lomé, Agence France Presse (AFP) and Keesing's Record of World Events, the Togolese government accused the government of Ghana of supporting an armed attempt to overthrow the government of Togo in January 1994 (7 Jan. 1994; 7 Jan. 1994; Jan. 1994, 39800). The Ghana Broadcasting Corporation reported that a government official denied that any Ghanaian was involved in the attempt (6 Jan. 1994).
For additional information on the January 1994 incident, please consult the attachments and Response to Information Request GHA19415.E of 30 January 1995, which is available at Regional Documentation Centres.
In September 1986 Reuters and the Lomé Home Service reported that an organized group of armed men who attempted to overthrow the government had been repulsed (29 Sept. 1986; 29 Sept. 1986). Both reports mentioned that Ghanaians had been involved in the attack, while the Lomé Home Service added that Ghanaian army personnel had been involved. Reuters reported that Ghana had denied any participation in the attack (29 Sept. 1986).
For additional information on the 1986 attack, as well as reports of other alleged Ghanaian attempts to destabilize the Togolese government, please consult the attached documents, which are arranged in reverse chronological order for your convenience.
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.
References
Agence France Presse (AFP) [Paris, in French]. 7 January 1994. "Military on Aim of 5 Jan. 1994." (FBIS-AFR-94-006 10 Jan. 1994, pp. 40-41)
Ghana Broadcasting Corporation [Accra, in English]. 6 January 1994. "Ghana: Government Says No Citizens Involved in Lomé Attack." (FBIS-AFR-94-005 7 Jan. 1994, p. 19)
Keesing's Record of World Events [Cambridge]. January 1994. Vol. 40, No. 1. "Togo: Gun Battles in Lomé."
Lomé Home Service [Lomé, in French]. 29 September 1986. "Southern Africa: In Brief; Togo's Interior Minister on Coup Attempt: Accuses Ghana and Burkina Faso." (BBC Summary 1 Oct. 1986/NEXIS)
Radio Lomé [Lomé in French]. 7 January 1994. "Togo: Country Urges End to Shooting." (FBIS-AFR-94-006 10 Jan. 1994, p. 40)
Reuters. 29 September 1986. AM Cycle. Babacar Diack. "French Troops in Togo Will Not Stay Long, Eyadema Says." (NEXIS)
Attachments
Africa Research Bulletin [Oxford]. 28 September 1995. Vol. 32, No. 8. "Ghana-Togo: Rapprochement?" p. 11939.
Ghana Broadcasting Corporation [Accra, in English]. 18 August 1994. "Ghana: "Government Position on 'Togo Invasion' Article Viewed." (FBIS-AFR-94-160 18 Aug. 1994, pp. 17-18)
_____. 17 August 1994. "Togo: Article Discussing Possible Invasion Condemned." (FBIS-AFR-94-160 18 Aug. 1994, pp. 26-27)
_____. 6 May 1994. "Ghana: Foreign Minister Rejects Protest, Warns Togo." (FBIS-AFR-94-089 9 May 1994, p. 25)
Agence France Presse (AFP) [Paris, in English]. 23 January 1994. "'Armed Elements' Open Fire Near Ghanaian Border." (FBIS-AFR-94-015 24 Jan. 1994, p. 40)
Ghana Broadcasting Corporation [Accra, in English]. 21 January 1994. "Ghana: Minister Warns Togo About 'Irresponsible Accusations'." (FBIS-AFR-94-015 24 Jan. 1994, p. 34)
_____. 8 January 1994. "Ghana: Government Comments on Shelling." (FBIS-AFR-94-006 10 Jan. 1994, p. 37)
Le Devoir [Montréal]. 8 January 1994. "Le Togo met en la cause le Ghana." (DIRB Togo Country File)
Radio Lomé [Lomé, in French]. 8 January 1994. "Togo: Radio Updates Daily Activities." (FBIS-AFR-94-006 10 Jan. 1994, p. 43)
Agence France Presse (AFP) [Paris, in French]. 7 January 1994. "Military On Aim of 5 January 1994." (FBIS-AFR-94-006 10 Jan. 1994, pp. 40-41)
_____. [Paris, in English]. 7 January 1994. "Fighting Reported on Border with Ghana." (FBIS-AFR-94-005 7 Jan. 1994, pp. 26-27)
BBC World Service [London, in English]. 7 January 1994. "Ghana: Foreign Minister Comments on Togolese Accusations." (FBIS-AFR-94-006 10 Jan. 1994, pp. 36-37)
Libération [Paris]. 7 January 1994. Stephen Smith. "Togo: Lomé en proie à la violence à la veille des législatives." (DIRB Togo Country File)
Radio Lomé [Lomé, in French]. 7 January 1994. "Togo: Country Urges End to Shooting." (FBIS-AFR-94-006 10 Jan. 1994, p. 40)
Ghana Broadcasting Corporation [Accra, in English]. 6 January 1994. "Ghana: Government Says No Citizens Involved in Lomé Attack." (FBIS-AFR-94-005 7 Jan. 1994, p. 19)
Radio Lomé [Lomé, in French]. 6 January 1995. "Togo: More on Assassination Attempt." (FBIS-AFR-94-005 7 Jan. 1994, pp. 25-26)
West Africa [London]. 7-13 February 1994. Klevor Abo. "Togo: The Northern Factor," pp. 213-14.
Keesing's Record of World Events [Cambridge]. January 1994. Vol. 40, No. 1. "Togo: Gun Battles in Lomé," p. 39800.
Agence France Presse (AFP) [Paris, in French]. 25 August 1993. "'Coup Plan' Found with Men Trying to Enter from Ghana." (FBIS-AFR-93-164 26 Aug. 1993, p. 29)
Radio Lomé [Lomé, in French]. 25 August 1993. "Foreign Minister on Alleged Coup." (FBIS-AFR-93-164 26 Aug. 1993, p. 29)
The Ghanaian Voice [Accra, in English]. 5-7 July 1993. "Ghana: Increasing Tension Reported on Border with Togo." (FBIS-AFR-93-129 8 July 1993, p. 27)
The Statesman [Accra, in English]. 20 June 1993. "Ghana: 'Togolese Commandos' Allegedly Find New Training Area." (FBIS-AFR-93-117 21 June 1993, p. 40)
_____. 13 June 1993. "Ghana: Togolese Commandos Said Training at Local Motel." (FBIS-AFR-93-113 15 June 1993, p. 38)
BBC World Service [London, in English]. 7 May 1993. "Ghana: Security Forces Report 'Another Armed Incursion'." (FBIS-AFR-93-088 10 May 1993, p. 29)
Ghana Broadcasting Corporation [Accra, in English]. 7 April 1993. "Ghana: Ministry Asks Togolese Military Refugees to Register." (FBIS-AFR-93-066 8 Apr. 1993, p. 27)
_____. 1 April 1993. "Ghana: Government Warns Togo's Eyadema Against 'Aggression'." (FBIS-AFR-93-062 2 Apr. 1993, pp. 26-27)
Fraternité Matin [Abidjan, in French]. 29 March 1993. "Togo: Eyadema Reviews Attack on Camp, Casualties." (FBIS-AFR-93-059 30 Mar. 1993, pp. 27-30)
Radio Lomé [Lomé, in French]. 29 March 1993. "Togo: Natchaba Says Attack by 'Ghanaians Trained in Ghana'." (FBIS-AFR-93-059 30 Mar. 1993, p. 27)
BBC World Service [London, in English]. 25 March 1993. "Ghana: Foreign Minister Comments." (FBIS-AFR-93-057 26 Mar. 1993, p. 38)
Ghana Broadcasting Corporation [Accra, in English]. 25 March 1993. "Ghana: Government Denies 'Involvement in Togolese Affairs'." (FBIS-AFR-93-057 26 Mar. 1993, p. 38)
Voice of Nigeria [Lagos, in English]. 25 March 1993. "Spokesman: Attack 'Launched from Ghana'." (FBIS-AFR-93-056 25 Mar. 1993, p. 42)
The Ghanaian Voice [Accra, in English]. 8-10 February 1993. "Ghana: NPFL To Join Forces with Togo Army if Lomé Attacked." (FBIS-AFR-93-027 11 Feb. 1993, p. 26)
Agence France Presse (AFP) [Paris, in French]. 2 February 1993. "Ghana: Official Calls Armed Forces Alert Just 'Precaution'." (FBIS-AFR-93-021 3 Feb. 1993, p. 24)
_____. 1 February 1993. "Togo: Presidency Criticizes Ghanaian 'Interference'." (FBIS-AFR-93-020 2 Feb. 1993, p. 40)
PANA [Dakar, in English]. 6 December 1991. "Ghana: Togolese Citizens in Accra Protest Coup Attempt." (FBIS-AFR-91-238 11 Dec. 1991, p. 27)
Agence France Presse (AFP). 16 October 1986. "West Africa: In Brief; Liberian Police Seize Ghanaian Bus 'For Security Reasons'." (BBC Summary 22 Oct. 1986/NEXIS)
Lomé Home Service [Lomé, in French]. 29 September 1986. "Southern Africa: In Brief; Togo's Interior Minister on Coup Attempt: Accuses Ghana and Burkina Faso." (BBC Summary 1 Oct. 1986/NEXIS)
Reuters. 29 September 1986. AM Cycle. Babacar Diack. "French Troops in Togo Will Not Stay Long, Eyadema Says." (NEXIS)
_____. 25 September 1986. AM Cycle. Andrew Higgins. "France to Send Troops to Aid Togo President." (NEXIS)