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African Leaders Pressure Togo Military to Restore Constitutional Order


Five West African heads of state will travel to Togo Friday to pressure the military-installed government to return the nation to consitutional order, or face sanctions.

The delegation, made up of the presidents of Nigeria, Niger, Benin, Mali and Ghana, will demand Togo reverse constitutional changes, made shortly after President Gnassingbe Eyadema died on Saturday, that allow his son to serve out his term until 2008.

West African leaders say Togo must respect the prior constitution which called for new elections within 60 days, and the temporary handing over of power to the spearker of the parliament in the event of the president's death.

The Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, says it will not recognize the new government, calling the events in Togo a coup.

The new Togolese president, Faure Gnassingbe, has promised to hold general elections as soon as possible.

Some information for this report provided by AFP, AP.

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