Implementation of the Reparations Program / The Populations of the Central Region Ready for Reconciliation

As in the Savanes and Kara regions, the populations of the Central region turned out in large numbers to hear the message of forgiveness, peace, and reconciliation brought by the HCRRUN delegation. Several hundred people from all prefectures of the region gathered in the large social affairs hall in Sokodé on Friday, May 19, 2017, for this information and exchange session.

After listening to the two presentations on transitional justice and the different forms of reparations, presented respectively by Mr. Tchancondo Ouro Bossi and Ms. Djobo Hani, the participants raised their concerns, to which the First Rapporteur and other resource persons provided answers.

Speaking on behalf of his peers from the region at the opening of the proceedings, the Prefect of Tchaoudjo, Colonel Mompion Matéindou, paid tribute to the victims of the political crises that Togo has experienced. ” No genuine action can truly heal the loss. But this ceremony must lead us to surpass ourselves in the name of the symbolic nature of the act, for a much more promising and peaceful future,” stated the Prefect.

For Mr. Pawoulé Koudéma, a victim present at this meeting, ” money is nothing, it is symbolic and it cannot bring back the deceased we have lost.” He therefore called on other victims to accept what will be given to them in order to resume harmonious coexistence in the country.

In his introductory remarks, the First Rapporteur of HCRRUN, Mr. Wiyao Evalo, recalled the context in which the signing of the Comprehensive Political Agreement took place and which led to the establishment of the CVJR following national consultations. The report submitted by the CVJR recommended the establishment of HCRRUN, tasked with implementing its recommendations, which include the present reparations program.