As part of the commemorations of the 20ᵉ anniversary of the death of President Gnassingbé Eyadéma, Togolese head of state Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé honored two former African heads of state, Nicéphore Soglo of Benin and Goukouni Oueddei of Chad, with honors on February 5, 2025 in Kara.
Elevated to the dignity of Grand Cross of the Order of Merit, these former presidents were recognized for their commitment and unwavering support for the unifying initiatives of President Eyadéma, often described as a father of the nation.
At the ceremony, Colonel Hodabalo Awate, Minister of Territorial Administration, underlined the importance of the presence of these personalities, a symbol of African fraternity and solidarity. He also recalled Eyadema's legacy, notably his role in peace-building and economic integration through initiatives such as the creation of ECOWAS and the transformation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) into the African Union (AU).
"President Eyadema was an unyielding advocate of African unity and solidarity, rooted in the values of his native land. His vision was based on the conviction that Africa's political and economic unity was essential to counter the continent's marginalization on the international stage", said Colonel Awate.
General Eyadéma was also recognized for his mediation skills in several crises in West Africa, notably in Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire and Chad. The Minister recalled a key episode in his career, recalling his crossing of the Chari River in 1979 in a difficult context, illustrating his commitment to peace.
The recipients expressed their gratitude to the Head of State for this recognition, praising Eyadéma's charisma and attachment to the values of peace and solidarity.
These tributes are part of a process aimed at preserving the memory of the Father of the Nation and strengthening national and African unity around the values he embodied. They also testify to the Togolese authorities' determination to maintain ties of friendship and cooperation with those who, alongside Eyadéma, have marked the history of the country and the continent.
English 
French 
Spanish 
German 