Togo's refugees too afraid of soldiers to go home

[struggle4progress]

30 Apr 2005 17:30:08 GMT

Source: Reuters

By Pawana Abalo

COME, Benin, April 30 (Reuters) - Young men, old women and children among the thousands who fled violence in Togo said on Saturday they were too scared to go home after security forces shot at unarmed civilians in post-election chaos.

More than 11,500 people have fled the tiny West African country since trouble erupted on Tuesday, minutes after the late authoritarian ruler's son was declared winner of a poll his opponents say was fixed.

Police fought days of pitched battles with protesters dug in behind blazing barricades in Lome, while security forces in other towns sought out opposition supporters and beat them up in their homes, according to those who fled the violence.

"Just after the results were announced the red berets (commandos) went out into the streets and started shooting at the boys," said Marthe, 60, who fled over the border to Benin where U.N. aid workers have set up refugee camps. <snip>

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