Kofi Esaw

Kofi Esaw is a Togolese diplomat, currently serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Cooperation. He was appointed to that post on 15 September 2008 as part of the government headed by Prime Minister Gilbert Houngbo. [ [http://www.republicoftogo.com/central.php?o=1&s=0&d=3&i=2444 "L’équipe autour de Gilbert Fossoun Houngbo"] , Republicoftogo.com, 15 September 2008 fr icon.] He had previously been the Ambassador of Togo to Ethiopia [http://www.republicoftogo.com/central.php?o=5&s=1&d=3&i=2445 "Le docteur Mally débarque aux urgences"] , Republicoftogo.com, 16 September 2008 fr icon.] for four years, beginning on 29 September 2004; [ [http://www.mfa.gov.et/Consular_Affair_Diplomatic/OrderofPrecedenceofAmbassadors.pdf List of ambassadors to Ethiopia] , Ethiopian Foreign Ministry website] (accessed 16 September 2008).] while serving as Ambassador to Ethiopia, he was also Togo's Ambassador to the African Union.

Esaw was appointed as Ambassador to Ethiopia in early August 2004. [ [http://www.icilome.com/nouvelles/news.asp?id=1&idnews=3836 "Nomination par decrets au Conseil des ministres"] , iciLome.com, 4 August 2004 fr icon.] During the diplomatic crisis that followed the death of Togolese President Gnassingbé Eyadéma in February 2005, Esaw defended the succession of Eyadema's son, Faure Gnassingbé, at a meeting of the African Union. According to Esaw, the father-son succession, which was widely deemed unconstitutional, was necessary because Togo faced "a very dangerous situation", saying that "there was the prospect of unrest and the only way to avoid the unrest was to take the action we did." The African Union's disapproval of the succession led to its decision to suspend Togo from the organization at the same meeting; Esaw was asked to leave the meeting following the suspension. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4297183.stm "AU calls for wider Togo sanctions"] , BBC News, 25 February 2005.]

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