US embassy cable - 05ACCRA928

C O N F I D E N T I A L ACCRA 000928 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
DEPT FOR PRM/A 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/06/2015 
TAGS: PREF, PHUM, TO, GH 
SUBJECT: REFUGEE REFERRAL FOR TOGOLESE OPPOSITION 
POLITICIAN KOFI OKOUTA 
 
REF: 03 STATE 326248 
 
Classified By: POLCHIEF SCOTT TICKNOR FOR REASON 1.4 (D). 
 
1.  (C) SUMMARY:  Embassy Accra requests authorization for a 
refugee referral to the U.S. resettlement program on behalf 
of Togolese opposition party activist Dr. Kofi Biayewa Okouta 
and his family of seven, who have taken refuge in Ghana. 
They have presented credible evidence of persecution based on 
their political opinion.  Okouta spoke of 50 rapes and 
substantial property damage in his hometown of Atakpame.  End 
summary. 
 
2.  (C)  Post's refugee referral is for Dr. Kofi Biayewa 
OKOUTA (DPOB: 31DEC1944, Kambole, Togo) who has taken refuge 
in Ghana with the following seven family members: 
 
Spouse:  Delphine Modoukpe OKOUTA (DPOB: 31DEC1946, Kambole, 
Togo) 
Daughter:  Ilenikou Rose OKOUTA (DPOB: 30DEC1970, Kara, Togo) 
Daughter:  Ariyatan OKOUTA (DPOB: 20FEB1972, Kara, Togo) 
Daughter:  Adebola OKOUTA (DPOB: 12MAY1976, Lome, Togo) 
Son:  Sourou OKOUTA (DPOB: 08APR1982, Koumea, Togo) 
Daughter:  Kabinin OKOUTA (DPOB: 06APR1985, Amlame, Togo) 
Son:  Marc Edem Yao NYADJOGBE (DPOB: 25APR2002, Atakpame, 
Togo). 
 
3.  (C) Dr. Okouta completed his studies at the University of 
Lome in 1978, graduating as an M.D.  In 1991, he openly 
joined the opposition political party known as CAR (Comite 
d'Action pour la Renouveau, or Action Committee for Renewal). 
 One year later, the military bombed his first residence, 
resulting in his daughter losing a finger and two other 
non-lethal casualties.  During the June 1998 elections, Dr. 
Okouta was detained for one month because of his involvement 
in opposition politics.  During that time he was beaten and 
tortured at the Prison Civil de Lome. 
 
4.  (C) On April 27, 2005, the same day election results were 
announced, Togolese military entered Dr. Okouta's property 
without forewarning and set his home ablaze, according to 
Okouta.  The family took refuge with sympathetic neighbors. 
Two days later, the military torched the medical clinic where 
Dr. Okouta worked as a general practitioner.  With the help 
of their parish priest, the family drove to Lome, then 
crossed the border into Ghana at the Akanu crossing point, 
several miles north of Lome.  The family registered with 
Ghana Immigration and UNHCR, then took refuge at an 
undisclosed site.  We became aware of Dr. Okouta's situation 
through Embassy Lome, which valued the applicant as a 
political contact. 
 
5.  (C) Prospects for local integration are dim.  Dr. Okouta 
would have to repeat years of study in Ghana in order to be 
recertified to practice medicine in Ghana.  Because of this 
onerous requirement, the Embassy is not aware of any 
foreigner who has succeeded in obtaining a medical 
certification in Ghana.  Dr. Okouta also believes he would 
not be safe if he remained here. 
 
6.  (C)  Repatriation is not an option, as the applicant has 
a well-founded fear of persecution due to his political 
opinion.  Human rights abuses in Togo are well documented in 
the annual human rights report as well as in recent 
election-related reporting by Embassy Lome.  Dr. Okouta told 
Refcord that he knew of the rapes of approximately 50 women, 
some of them underage, and the wholesale destruction of 
property in his hometown of Atakpame, an opposition 
stronghold north of Lome with a population of 64,000.  Thus, 
we believe resettlement represents the only appropriate 
durable solution for this family. 
 
7.  (C) Comment:   Okouta's fears for his safety here appear 
to us to reflect a certain degree of paranoia.  There were 
several cases years ago of prominent Togolese being murdered 
in Ghana allegedly by Eyadema agents.  In the past few years, 
however, we are unaware of any Togolese opposition figures in 
Ghana who have been threatened, kidnapped, or killed.  End 
comment. 
 
8.  (C) PRM's consideration of this request is greatly 
appreciated. 
YATES 
 
 
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