Stay-away only moderately successful

A stay-at-home protest called by seven opposition parties to press for the resolution of a political impasse in Togo has been only partially successful, news sources told IRIN on Wednesday. "Just over half the people followed the call," one source said. Some activity was paralysed. In one primary school, for example, just about one-tenth of the teachers reported for duty, while 'zemidjans' (scooters which function as taxis) were difficult to get. However, most public servants went to work. Riot police were deployed at Lome's main road intersections, but there was no violence. On Monday, the opposition had called on civil servants, bank employees, traders, transport workers and taxi drivers to stay at home until the government released the correct results of presidential elections held in June 1998. The opposition claimed the results, giving President Gnassingbe Eyadema a victory, were rigged. As a result, all but one of the opposition parties boycotted legislative elections held in March.