Togo ANC: UN Map Resolution a 'Diversion' From Domestic Crises

• The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on September 4, championed by Togo, to gradually abandon the Mercator map projection due to its distortion of continental sizes.
• Togo's main opposition party, the Alliance nationale pour le changement (ANC), initially welcomed the resolution for its cartographic accuracy.
• However, the ANC subsequently accused the Togolese government of using the UN map resolution as a "diversionary maneuver" to distract from the country's "extremely worrying" internal situation.
• The opposition cited a recent ECOWAS Court ruling concerning an unconstitutional change of government and called for the government to prioritize domestic issues like employment, healthcare, and the rule of law.
• The ANC emphasized that improving Togo's international image through such initiatives should not replace fundamental internal reforms.

A better represented Africa on maps cannot mask a poorly governed Africa.

On September 4, the United Nations General Assembly formally adopted Resolution A/80/L.104, a significant move calling for the gradual phasing out of the Mercator projection in global cartography. This projection has long faced criticism for distorting the true landmasses of continents, particularly minimizing the perceived size of Africa, Latin America, and South Asia. The initiative, championed by Togo under the umbrella of the African Union, garnered widespread approval from the international community, signaling a global desire for more accurate geographical representation.

The Alliance nationale pour le changement (ANC), Togo's primary opposition party led by Jean-Pierre Fabre, initially expressed support for this diplomatic achievement. In a statement released on September 11, the ANC acknowledged the resolution as "an advancement towards a more faithful cartographic representation of the world." The party specifically endorsed the shift towards alternative projections like Equal Earth or Eckert IV, which offer a more accurate depiction of continental proportions.

Despite their initial endorsement of the UN resolution's cartographic goals, the ANC quickly pivoted to criticize the Togolese government's handling of the diplomatic success. The opposition party characterized the government's emphasis on this achievement as a calculated communication strategy, labeling it a "diversionary maneuver intended to distract national and international opinion" from the country's "extremely worrying" internal affairs. This strong accusation highlights a perceived attempt by the Togolese authorities to leverage international recognition to overshadow domestic challenges, turning the Togo ANC UN map resolution into a point of contention.

The ANC pointed to a recent ruling by the ECOWAS Court of Justice, which referenced an unconstitutional change of government within Togo, as evidence of the pressing internal issues. The party encapsulated this perceived hypocrisy with a stark observation: the regime, they argued, projects "a shining face abroad, a dark face at home." Foreign Minister Robert Dussey's personal dedication to this pan-African cause, which he had championed for nearly two years, was also noted by the ANC, implicitly questioning the allocation of such intense focus.

The opposition articulated a clear preference for the government to apply similar determination to pressing domestic concerns. The ANC stated that Togolese citizens would have legitimately expected the same level of commitment to safeguarding fundamental rights and freedoms, as well as addressing the nation's severe economic and social hardships. The party outlined a comprehensive list of priorities it deemed far more urgent than cartographic representation, including employment opportunities, improving purchasing power, enhancing healthcare and education, ensuring access to water and electricity, and restoring the rule of law.

In a statement poised to resonate within national discourse, the ANC declared, "A better represented Africa on maps cannot mask a poorly governed Africa." While explicitly affirming that they do not dispute the validity of the UN resolution and expressing gratitude to the General Assembly for its adoption, the party underscored a critical distinction. They insisted that efforts to enhance Togo's international standing must not serve as a substitute for deep-seated internal reforms. The ANC concluded its declaration by asserting that a nation truly earns the respect of the global community "through the quality of its governance, respect for citizens' rights, and solidity of its institutions."

Source: Original reporting via African news outlet