Opposition and government supporters staged rival demonstrations in Togo's capital Lome on Saturday a month ahead of presidential elections meant to end a period of political turmoil in the West African country. Around two thousand people marched peacefully through the opposition stronghold of Be demanding a free and fair vote while a similar number of government supporters gathered in front of the country's parliament building across town, witnesses said. "We are demonstrating to demand the constitution be respected. We have heard that the opposition wants to push back the April 24 date because they are not ready," said Robert Assedi, a member of the youth wing of the ruling RPT party. "We say elections must take place on April 24. Only elections can decide between us," he said. Togo was plunged into a political crisis last month when its authoritarian ruler of 38 years, Gnassingbe Eyadema, died suddenly and the army bypassed the constitution by naming his son, Faure Gnassingbe, as the country's new leader. Violent street protests, African sanctions and international outrage eventually persuaded Gnassingbe to step down although he will run in the polls as the official RPT candidate. --More 2153 Local Time 1853 GMT
