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Last Updated: Thursday, 9 June, 2005, 00:03 GMT 01:03 UK
Togo leader picks prime minister
Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe
Faure Gnassingbe became president after a disputed election
Togo's President Faure Gnassingbe has named the leader of an opposition party, Edem Kodjo, as prime minister.

Mr Gnassingbe earlier rejected plans for a coalition government put forward by an opposition group he defeated in a disputed election in April.

Mr Kodjo, whose Patriotic Pan-African Party is not part of that opposition group, served as prime minister during the 1990s under Mr Gnassingbe's father.

Mr Gnassingbe has asked Mr Kodjo to renew talks with the opposition.

Mr Kodjo is a former secretary general of the Organisation of African Unity, which has now become the African Union.

He also served as prime minister in the government of late President Gnassingbe Eyadema between 1994 and 1996 - a period during which he is credited with reviving the tiny West African nation's economy and helping resettle returning refugees.

Opposition talks

Mr Eyadema's death earlier this year ended four decades of authoritarian rule in Togo.

His son, Faure, was hastily and unconstitutionally appointed as his successor by the military, before international pressure forced him to stand down.

Elections held in April returned Mr Gnassingbe to the presidency, amid claims of vote rigging and intimidation by the opposition.

Thousands of opposition supporters fled the country amid a clampdown by security forces.

Negotiations for a coalition government between Mr Gnassingbe and the main opposition group broke down on Tuesday, with Mr Gnassingbe accusing the opposition of trying to undermine his authority by seeking greater powers for the prime minister.




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