Kpatcha Gnassingbé, former Minister of Defense of Togo, is once again in the headlines. After 14 years of imprisonment for “undermining state security”, he was evacuated last March for health reasons. Since his return, he has been hospitalized in the military pavilion of the CHU Sylvanus Olympio in Lomé.
According to his personal doctor, Kpatcha Gnassingbé is in good health despite his prolonged hospitalization. Aged 53, he underwent an operation in Gabon to solve circulatory problems which could have led to an amputation if he had not been taken care of. His doctor remains confident about an imminent release, once his treatment is finished.
This long hospitalization highlights the harmful consequences of the incarceration on the health of Kpatcha Gnassingbé, according to his lawyer Maître Kpandé Azaré. He is not the only political prisoner to suffer from health problems. Abi Ati and Casimir Dontema, also sentenced in 2010 for plotting against the head of state, are experiencing heart or lung problems.
The relatives of Kpatcha Gnassingbé therefore hope that at the end of his treatment, he will be definitively released. This case highlights the situation of political prisoners in Togo and raises questions about respect for human rights in the country. The health of detainees should be a primary concern, and their release should be seriously considered if their state of health deteriorates.
It is important to remember that the detention of an individual should not mean the neglect of his health. Authorities must ensure that all detainees, regardless of their political views, have access to appropriate medical care. The release of Kpatcha Gnassingbé, if it materializes, will be a step towards redressing this worrying situation.
Pending further developments, it is essential to remain vigilant and to continue to demand respect for human rights and human dignity for all individuals, regardless of their political opinions