Significant irregularities in the management of the fund intended to combat the coronavirus epidemic in Togo and its economic consequences have been highlighted in a report by the Court of Auditors, which is causing outrage in the West African country.
Published at the end of January, the 86-page document is making headlines this week and is being widely discussed on social media , with several opposition figures calling on the president to take action.
The Covid-19 Response and Solidarity Fund (FRSC) was created by the government in the wake of the discovery of the first case of coronavirus in March 2020. It notably received technical and financial support from international partners, such as the European Union , the IMF and the World Bank .
Of the 108 billion FCFA (165 million euros) spent in 2020, the report states, "some payments (...) were for non-priority expenditures or expenditures not directly related to the implementation of measures to respond to Covid-19" .
He also points to cash transfers , a measure intended to support the poorest, which have sometimes benefited people who were not eligible.
The report highlights in particular an expenditure of 13 million euros for the purchase of 31,500 tonnes of rice by the Ministry of Commerce, without any record of an order.
The government has not yet commented on the findings of this audit report, which is causing controversy on social media and in the press.
"Scandalous management of Covid funds: the Republic's vampires unmasked by the Court of Auditors ," headlined the weekly newspaper Le Changement on Thursday . According to the paper, President Faure Gnassingbé must "exonerate those implicated in this scandal . "
The opposition is calling on the president to "take action ," as exemplified by MP Gerry Taama, who sees the report as proof of embezzlement of public funds. "At a time when Covid-19 and the high cost of living are forcing Togolese people to tighten their belts, it is intolerable that other compatriots are taking advantage of the situation to enrich themselves ," he stated in a press release.
"Too many people are getting rich off the backs of the Togolese. Enough is enough!" exclaimed Nathaniel Olympio , another leader of the Togolese opposition.
President Faure Gnassingbé came to power in 2005 after the death of his father, General Gnassingbé Eyadéma , who had ruled Togo with an iron fist for 38 years. He was re-elected in elections that were all contested by the opposition.
