Togo: Transhumance conflict leaves 1 dead and 5 gendarmes injured
Lomé, Togo (PANA) - A conflict linked to transhumance left one peasant dead and five gendarmes injured on Monday in Tchakpalakopé, Anié prefecture, a town located about 200 km north of Lomé, said a statement released on Tuesday by the Minister in charge of Security and Civil Protection, General Yark Damehame.
According to an official statement, oxen belonging to a Peulh devastated and damaged fields of the peasants of Tchakpalakopé, in the prefecture of Anié.
The Peulh, who was almost lynched by the inhabitants of the village, is under the protection of the gendarmes who have made attempts to reach an amicable settlement.
Elements of the security forces sent to the scene were assaulted by the population with the help of cutters and clubs. "The gendarmes were taken to task and molested by the inhabitants who tore their uniforms, removed their laptops and broke their motorcycles," said the minister.
To save their colleagues, said the minister, the gendarmes sent reinforcements "who used tear gas canisters and warning shots in the air". Result: a peasant shot dead and five gendarmes injured.
Transhumance in Togo often rhymes with conflicts between peasants and herders, despite the government's efforts to limit violence through administrative measures, sometimes in concert with the countries of origin of the herders.
Transhumants, official sources indicate, come mainly from Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso and Nigeria.
Last year, no serious incident was recorded but, this year trouble is brewing with this case in Tchakpalakopé having resulted in a death and wounded gendarmes.
-0- PANA FAA/BEH/KND/VAO 14Jan2020
