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This is an archive article published on February 7, 2005

Togo leader dies, Army takes over

President Gnassingbe Eyadema of Togo, whose 38-year repressive reign over his tiny, impoverished country made him Africa’s longest-ruli...

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President Gnassingbe Eyadema of Togo, whose 38-year repressive reign over his tiny, impoverished country made him Africa’s longest-ruling leader, has died after suffering a heart attack.

Hours after his death on Sunday, the military declared his son will succeed him, an announcement the African Union called a ‘‘coup d’etat’’. The prime minister said all land and air borders to the country have been closed. No violence was reported.

Worldwide, only Cuba’s Fidel Castro has held power longer. Eyadema, 69, suffered a heart attack in his southeastern hometown of Piya, officials said.

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Togolese officials said Eyadema died on his way to Europe for treatment, but Israel’s foreign ministry said the Togolese leader had been on his way to that country, where Israel said he had received medical care before.

Within hours, Togo’s military high command declared Eyadema’s 39-year-old son, Faure Gnassingbe, the West African nation’s new president. —PTI

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