Pascal Bodjona
Encyclopedia
Pascal Akoussoulèlou Bodjona (born 17 May 1966) is a Togo
lese politician who has served in the government of Togo as Minister of State for Territorial Administration, Decentralization, and Local Collectivities, as well as Government Spokesman, since 2007. Previously he was Ambassador to the United States
from 1998 to 2005 and Director of the Presidential Cabinet from 2005 to 2007.
, located in Binah Prefecture. After attending school in Kétao and Lomé
, the capital, he went to the United States to study at the John F. Kennedy School of Government
at Harvard University
. He was appointed as Special Adviser to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation in 1994 before being appointed to the Embassy of Togo to the United States in 1995 as an attaché
. Subsequently he was promoted to the post of Ambassador to the United States in January 1998. That appointment was criticized by some opponents of the government, who alleged that Bodjona had previously been involved in political violence. Bodjona presented his credentials as Ambassador to US President Bill Clinton
on 27 May 1998; he also served concurrently as Ambassador to Brazil
. Bodjona remained in his diplomatic post for seven years, becoming the Dean of the West African Diplomatic Corps in Washington DC.
to power. Eyadéma then died suddenly on 5 February 2005, and as a result Bodjona did not return to the US to continue his work as Ambassador. He instead served as the spokesman of Eyadema's son Faure Gnassingbé
, who was the Rally of the Togolese People
(RPT) candidate in the April 2005 presidential election
. As candidate spokesman, he condemned the violence that surrounded the election and rejected opposition accusations that the RPT engaged in electoral fraud and misconduct.
After Gnassingbé's victory, Bodjona was appointed as Director of the Cabinet of President of the Republic in May 2005. He remained in that post for over two and a half years. Following the October 2007 parliamentary election
, Bodjona was appointed as Minister of State for Territorial Administration, Decentralization, and Local Collectivities, as well as Government Spokesman, on 13 December 2007.
The Togolese football team was ambushed and attacked by rebels in Angola
in January 2010, and consequently the team withdrew from the African Cup of Nations
to observe a period of mourning. The Confederation of African Football
(CAF) then banned the team from playing in the next two tournaments and fined it $50,000. Speaking for the government after CAF's decision, Bodjona expressed outrage, saying that CAF had "no consideration for the lives of other human beings" and that the decision was "insulting to the family of those who lost their lives and those traumatised because of the attack." He also said that the government would take legal action.
Togo
Togo, officially the Togolese Republic , is a country in West Africa bordered by Ghana to the west, Benin to the east and Burkina Faso to the north. It extends south to the Gulf of Guinea, on which the capital Lomé is located. Togo covers an area of approximately with a population of approximately...
lese politician who has served in the government of Togo as Minister of State for Territorial Administration, Decentralization, and Local Collectivities, as well as Government Spokesman, since 2007. Previously he was Ambassador to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
from 1998 to 2005 and Director of the Presidential Cabinet from 2005 to 2007.
Early life and diplomatic career
Bodjona was born in KétaoKetao
Ketao is a town in the Bimah Prefecture in the Kara Region of north-eastern Togo.-External links:**...
, located in Binah Prefecture. After attending school in Kétao and Lomé
Lomé
Lomé, with an estimated population of 737,751, is the capital and largest city of Togo. Located on the Gulf of Guinea, Lomé is the country's administrative and industrial center and its chief port. The city exports coffee, cocoa, copra, and palm kernels...
, the capital, he went to the United States to study at the John F. Kennedy School of Government
John F. Kennedy School of Government
The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is a public policy and public administration school, and one of Harvard's graduate and professional schools...
at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
. He was appointed as Special Adviser to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation in 1994 before being appointed to the Embassy of Togo to the United States in 1995 as an attaché
Attaché
Attaché is a French term in diplomacy referring to a person who is assigned to the diplomatic or administrative staff of a higher placed person or another service or agency...
. Subsequently he was promoted to the post of Ambassador to the United States in January 1998. That appointment was criticized by some opponents of the government, who alleged that Bodjona had previously been involved in political violence. Bodjona presented his credentials as Ambassador to US President Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
on 27 May 1998; he also served concurrently as Ambassador to Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
. Bodjona remained in his diplomatic post for seven years, becoming the Dean of the West African Diplomatic Corps in Washington DC.
2005 presidential campaign and government service
In January 2005, Bodjona returned to Togo to participate in celebrations marking the anniversary of the 13 January 1967 coup that brought President Gnassingbé EyadémaGnassingbé Eyadéma
General Gnassingbé Eyadéma , was the President of Togo from 1967 until his death in 2005. He participated in two successful military coups, in January 1963 and January 1967, and became President on April 14, 1967...
to power. Eyadéma then died suddenly on 5 February 2005, and as a result Bodjona did not return to the US to continue his work as Ambassador. He instead served as the spokesman of Eyadema's son Faure Gnassingbé
Faure Gnassingbé
Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé has been the President of Togo since May 4, 2005. A son of President Gnassingbé Eyadéma, he was appointed to the government by his father, serving as Minister of Equipment, Mines, Posts, and Telecommunications from 2003 to 2005...
, who was the Rally of the Togolese People
Rally of the Togolese People
The Rally of the Togolese People is the ruling political party in Togo. The President of Togo, Faure Gnassingbé, is also the National President of the RPT....
(RPT) candidate in the April 2005 presidential election
Togolese presidential election, 2005
A presidential election was held in Togo on April 24, 2005, following the death in office of long-time president Gnassingbé Eyadéma. The main candidates were Eyadéma's son, Faure Gnassingbé, and opposition leader Emmanuel Bob-Akitani. The election and the period preceding it were marked by...
. As candidate spokesman, he condemned the violence that surrounded the election and rejected opposition accusations that the RPT engaged in electoral fraud and misconduct.
After Gnassingbé's victory, Bodjona was appointed as Director of the Cabinet of President of the Republic in May 2005. He remained in that post for over two and a half years. Following the October 2007 parliamentary election
Togolese parliamentary election, 2007
A parliamentary election was held in Togo on October 14, 2007 for the 81 seats in the National Assembly. There were over 2,000 candidates, with 32 parties and 41 lists of independent candidates competing. The ruling Rally of the Togolese People was victorious, winning a majority of 50 seats...
, Bodjona was appointed as Minister of State for Territorial Administration, Decentralization, and Local Collectivities, as well as Government Spokesman, on 13 December 2007.
The Togolese football team was ambushed and attacked by rebels in Angola
Angola
Angola, officially the Republic of Angola , is a country in south-central Africa bordered by Namibia on the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the north, and Zambia on the east; its west coast is on the Atlantic Ocean with Luanda as its capital city...
in January 2010, and consequently the team withdrew from the African Cup of Nations
African Cup of Nations
The Africa Cup of Nations, also referred to as the African Cup of Nations or African Nations Cup, officially CAN , is the main international association football competition in Africa. It is sanctioned by the Confederation of African Football , and was first held in 1957. Since 1968, it has been...
to observe a period of mourning. The Confederation of African Football
Confederation of African Football
The Confederation of African Football is the administrative and controlling body for African association football.CAF represents the national football associations of Africa, runs continental, national, and club competitions, and controls the prize money, regulations and media rights to those...
(CAF) then banned the team from playing in the next two tournaments and fined it $50,000. Speaking for the government after CAF's decision, Bodjona expressed outrage, saying that CAF had "no consideration for the lives of other human beings" and that the decision was "insulting to the family of those who lost their lives and those traumatised because of the attack." He also said that the government would take legal action.