We join others to express our heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the government and people of Togo following the recent attack on their football team whilst traveling to Cabinda in Angola to participate in the ongoing African Cup of Nations.
As a result of the attack, a number became casualties including the team doctor and a press officer who died.
We condemn the attack in the strongest terms, while expressing our sorrow and sadness over the misfortune of our Togolese brothers and sisters.
As Africans, we must stop killing each other and rally behind the spirit of unity. Killing innocent people like the Togolese players and their driver is very bad and unacceptable.
We urged the government of Angola and CAF to set up a joint commission of inquiry into the killings and, if possible, bring to book the perpetrators of this act of terrorism.
We also challenge the government of Angola to ensure a trouble-free competition. As the host country, its has a responsibility to make sure that all the participating teams and their officials are safe and given the maximum security while in that country.
Senseless acts like killing innocent people only serves to keep Africa backward. Many talented and skillful Africans have lost their lives under inexplicable circumstances.
We must put a stop to this practice. In the case of the Togolese team we wonder what must have prompted the killers to perpetrate this kind of crime.
We advise the Togolese team to withdraw from this tournament, after their traumatic experience, and as a mark of respect to those of their colleagues and compatriots killed and injured.
Once again, we join the people and government of Togo in mourning their loss.
