GOVERNMENT OF TOGO CREATES TRUTH, JUSTICE AND

UNCLAS LOME 000064 E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM TO SUBJECT: GOVERNMENT OF TOGO CREATES TRUTH, JUSTICE AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION REF: A. 08 LOME 527 ¶B. 08 LOME 185 ¶1. On February 18, 2009, the Council of Ministers issued a decree announcing the creation of a Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission. This commission was first called for in the Global Political Agreement (GPA) of 2006, and a country-wide consultation process was implemented with the help of the UN Human Rights Commission last year (reftel A and B). The commission's mandate is to implement the conclusions and recommendations from the national consultations and was cited as a priority for the GOT to improve governance and societal relations. No announcement has been made as to the composition of the commission. ¶2. Comment. Reaction to the creation of the commission has been muted, probably due to the current focus on on-going negotiations between the political parties over the composition of the National Independent Electoral Commission for the 2010 presidential election (septel). While the creation of the Truth, Justice, and Reconciliation Commission is an important step in continuing the implementation of the GPA, it is likely that its impact will be diminished because of the contentious issues surrounding the upcoming election. End Comment. HAWKINS