Togo: High Commission for Reconciliation and the Strengthening of National Unity Wants to Rename Streets and Public Squares

Politics

Thursday, 12 December 2024 09:43

Togo: High Commission for Reconciliation and the Strengthening of National Unity Wants to Rename Streets and Public Squares

(Togo First) - The Togolese High Commission for Reconciliation and the Strengthening of National Unity (HCRRUN) is renaming several streets and public squares in the country. The project kicked off on December 10, 2024, in Lomé. It is part of efforts to provide memorial reparations.

The goal is to honor significant but overlooked historical figures and to redefine important dates in Togo's socio-political history from 1958 to 2005.

An upcoming list of names and important dates is being assembled.

Over three days, various stakeholders including government officials, local leaders, and civil society representatives will collaborate to create a consensus list of individuals and events to commemorate.

For Awa Nana-Daboya, President of the HCRRUN, the project follows the recommendations of the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission (CVJR).

Among others, the CVJR suggested repatriating Sylvanus Olympio's remains to Togo for burial. Olympio is viewed as the father of the nation.

Nana-Daboya pointed out: “The CVJR's recommendation is to transfer the remains because the late Sylvanus Olympio belongs to Togo”.

Parallel efforts for financial and memorial compensation

Additionally, HCRRUN has compensated nearly 30,000 victims of political violence since its inception. The current phase aims to establish a unified collective memory. Nana-Daboya stated, “Future generations must read Togo's history and find the names of figures like Tavio Amorin engraved on steles.”

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

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