afrol News, 24 November - According to Togolese government reports, China has announced its increased military aid with the small Western African dictatorship, currently under EU and US sanctions. Chinese Defence Minister Cao Gangchuan visited Lomé this weekend and promised "to promote bilateral relations," including military.

Mr Cao reportedly had made these remarks when holding talks with Togolese Minister of Defence and Veterans Assani Tidjani. The Chinese Defence Minister is also Vice Chairman of China's Central Military Commission and a state councillor.

Togo has come under increased international pressure lately, due to the dictatorship of President Gnassingbé Eyadema, in power since 1967. Fraudulent elections earlier this year caused the European Union (EU) to continue its economic sanctions against Togo, meaning that the Lomé regime is not eligible for EU development aid.

There have also been cuts in the military aid from the United States this year because Togo has not been willing to sign an agreement that would exempt Americans from possible prosecution at the International Criminal Court for war criminals. On 1 July this year, therefore, the US government declared Togo to be ineligible for further military aid.

The Lomé government this weekend thus celebrated the finding of alternative sources of international aid during its encounter with the Chinese representative. Mr Cao was quoted by the Togolese government as saying that China and Togo now would redouble their "fruitful cooperation in the fields of politics, economy and culture together with frequent high-level exchanges and deepening friendship between the two peoples."

- The Chinese armed forces attached importance to developing military relations with Togo, Mr Cao had told the Lomé government. He added that China would "make efforts to raise military friendship and cooperation between the two armed forces into a new height."

Togolese Minister Tidjani extended his congratulations on China's successful launch of the Shenzhou-5 manned spacecraft. He voiced his thanks for China's long-term assistance to Togo, and reiterated Togo's adherence to the one-China policy, according to Togolese government reports.

By staff writer

© afrol News

Related pages and feature

Current afrol News Top Stories