The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Moussa Issifou

It's a cry from a people who have been struggling against the most brutal dictatorship of the modern world for four decades. It's about Togo, a tiny nation located between Ghana and Benin, with a population of 5 million. For 40 years, we have known nothing but humiliation, despair, terror, brutality, injustice, assassinations, to list a few.

After almost 40 years in power, the last dictator of the 20th century, Eyadema Gnassingbé, passed away on Feb. 5. No sooner had we really started to enjoy our long-confiscated freedom than a group of soldiers seized power on behalf of the dictator's son. They modified provisions in our constitution to impose him as president. We fear that our freedom is again going to be confiscated for some 40 more years.

This time we are going to oppose this illegitimate and illegal power. So we need the support of all those who are in love with freedom, justice and democracy.

Some people may say, "We don't even know that nation." Others may ask, "What do we have to do with a country located somewhere in Africa?"

To all these people I would say, you are right, but your membership in the human species is shouting at you: Remember Rwanda, always remember Rwanda! My country may be a second Rwanda if no attention is paid to what is going on now. I know the brutality of our soldiers, and for that reason we are appealing to all of humanity to focus on the situation in Togo from now on.

Please, whatever support you can provide, do it. Talk to your friends, to your senators, to your congressmen and women. Inform them, let them know that a genocide is about to take place somewhere. Please, save Togo, save your brother and sister who have hopelessly been aspiring to freedom, justice and democracy for four decades.

The writer is a native of Togo who has lived in Greensboro for five years.