Togo's Faure Gnassingbe was formally sworn in as president on Monday after his father's sudden death, despite strong condemnation from former colonial power France and African leaders who branded the succession unconstitutional. Opposition parties called for a "Togo dead country" protest over the next two days, urging people to stay at home to mark their rejection of what they described as "a military coup". Gnassingbe was named to the top job by the West African nation's army on Saturday hours after the death of his father, Gnassingbe Eyadema, who was Africa's longest-serving leader. Faure Gnassingbe took his oath of office in front of judges and lawmakers. Western diplomats boycotted the ceremony at the presidential palace in the former French colony's capital Lome. "Before God and before the Togolese people, sole holders of the national sovereignty, we Faure Gnassingbe assume the duties of president of the republic," said the 39-year-old, wearing a suit and a scarf in the red, yellow and green national colours. --MORE 2338 Local Time 2038 GMT
