Although the TV appearance has shown Gnassingbe is alive and able to function, it has still not cleared away all questions about the state of his health. Many have remarked that the President even looked sickly during his TV appearance.
The President of Togo, Faure Gnassingbe, has reemerged publically after an 18-day disappearance.
President Gnassingbe made a televised appearance today for two hearings with the Deputy Secretary of State for African Affairs, Bisa Williams, and the Head Africa Service of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mahamane Cisse Gouro.
President Gnassingbe had not been seen in public since June 5th when he was in Ghana consoling the families of victims of the Accra gas station explosion. Rumors began to circulate about his health when he did not appear at the African Union Summit held in Johannesburg on the 14th and 15th of June, prompting the concern about the status of his health.
A very reputable French Newspaper, Lettreducontinent, reported that the President was sick in a hospital in Turin, Italy. The silence from the President and his aides over the past 18 days only stoked existing rumors.
Although the TV appearance has shown Gnassingbe is alive and able to function, it has still not cleared away all questions about the state of his health. Many have remarked that the President even looked sickly during his TV appearance.
Following Gnassingbe’s reemergence, the Togolese news website republicoftogo.com explained the 18 day disappearance as an “intimate retreat” and “a period of reflection” designed to “put the nation on new rails” and “find inspiration for action.”
Faure Gnassingbe recently won his third term in April 2015, defeating his main challenger, Jean Pierre Fabre.
He succeeded the Office of Presidency following the death of his father, the Former President of Togo, Gnassingbe Eyadema. Eyadema. He died suddenly in office on February 5, 2005 after 38 years of rule.
It is unclear whether President will address the media and offer further elaboration on the previous 18 days or whether he will address reports that he was seeking medical attention in Italy.