Presidents brother arrested over alleged coup

Togolese security forces arrested President Foure Gnassingbe's half brother, former Defense Minister Kpatcha Gnassingbe, on 15 April 2009 for his role in an alleged coup plot uncovered over the 11-12 April weekend. Gnassingbe was arrested as he was leaving the U.S. Embassy after taking refuge there following an exchange of gunfire with security forces at his home on 12 April, when authorities originally attempted to detain him for questioning. The shootout -- which occurred in a suburb of Lome, the capital -- left several troops loyal to Gnassinbe dead. Several military officials were arrested following the incident. According to official sources, the military seizure of power was to occur during the president's upcoming official visit to China on 12 April. That visit was canceled when the coup plot emerged. Political instability is a concern in the coup prone nation of Togo, where the nearly four-decade rule by the Rally of Togolese People (RPT) political party, as well as the election of Foure Gnassingbe in 2005 in elections generally considered flawed, have continued to create social and political problems in the nation. Togo has a history of unrest, and recent economic problems have raised concerns of further possible unrest and instability for the nation as well as the general region.