Second member of presidents family arrested

Sources reported on 20 April 2009 that Togolese authorities have arrested a second member of President Faure Gnassingbe's familiy in connection with an alleged coup plot. Officials stated that they took the president's brother, Essolizam Gnassingbe, into custody after evidence surfaced that he was involved in a recently uncovered coup plot believed to have been initiated by President Gnassingbe's half brother, Kpatcha Gnassingbe. Kpatcha Gnassingbe -- who had also served as the nation's defense minister until 2007 -- was arrested on 15 April for allegedly masterminding the plot against Faure. Kpatcha was taken into custody after not being able to secure U.S. Embassy protections following a shootout at his residence between authorities who had arrived to arrest him and Kpatcha's security personnel. There are increasing political and stability concerns in the coup-prone nation of Togo due to signs of possible political rifts within the ruling elite of the Togolese People's Rally (RPT), the country's primary political organization. Kpatcha’s arrest also increased the likelihood of tensions between the ruling party and the army, which is generally thought to be supportive of Kpatcha.