Togo opposition gear up for fresh fight --regime

LOME;  The opposition  in Togo has so far had no success in breaking the ruling  family's five decade  grip on power.But with  election set for the next year those working  to unseat  President Faure Gnassingbe have vowed  renewed  push.warning that without  major reforms, the polls in the small West  African nation will  turn out to be another sham.

Experts agreed  that the divided opposition has little  leverage over the  entrenched regime and must unite to have any  hope of  challenging   Gnassingbe   . But the opposition  insists it will keep fighting  to get  the bill passed,describing  it at the last  best hope  to safeguard  a semblance   of democracy  in Togo.

To some observers  ,Togo's opposition  leaders have  at times  sounded like a broken record , voicing the same  grievance  but also displaying  clear weakness compare to the regime.

Waves  of  protests in  the Capital  Lome,many of which  were  dispersed by police  spraying teargas,have had  little impact
 .The opposition was however  given boost  earlier  this month by a declaration from a key Christian body in favour of political  reform before  the next election..