Faure opens truth, justice and reconciliation talks

Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe on Tuesday launched national consultations for the setting-up of a Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission.

The ceremony, held at the Convention Centre, was attended by several party officials, civil society organisations, religious leaders and customary heads. The consultations are meant to get a national consensus aimed at setting-up the commission and to sensitise the people on the mechanisms of the organ.

Initiated by the Togolese government, the commission will be implemented with the technical support of the UN High Commission for Human Rights.

Gnassingbe urged the citizens to contribute to the implementation of the commission, noting that it constitutes an essential step towards the strengthening of national unity. "Truth is the mother of justice. Reconciliation is only sensible if it is based on truth and justice," he noted.