The funeral of Colonel Toussaint Bitala Madjoulba, who passed away in his office on the morning of May 4, 2020, just a day after Faure Gnassingbé was sworn in for his fourth term, took place yesterday, Friday, March 8, in Siou, his hometown.
Following his death, investigations led the military tribunal to convict seven individuals, including the former chief of staff and the victim’s driver, to lengthy prison sentences in November 2023. On Friday, March 8, the family and comrades-in-arms of Colonel Madjoulba buried their comrade from the 1st Rapid Intervention Battalion.
Colonel Toussaint Bitala Madjoulba’s remains were interred in the late afternoon on Friday, March 8, following a mass celebrated by the three bishops from the northern part of the country. The ceremony was attended by Faure Gnassingbé, members of his government, and officers of the Togolese army. A large crowd gathered in Siou, the Colonel’s hometown, to pay their respects.
“Values”
Tributes from the Togo military’s top brass began on Wednesday in Lomé at the general headquarters of the armed forces before the transfer of the remains to Siou on Thursday, approximately 470 km north of Lomé.
Reflecting on his father’s legacy, Colonel Madjoulba’s son spoke of him as a man of values: “You raised us,” he said in his final tribute, “placing special emphasis on core values such as discipline, professionalism, a dedication to excellence, courage, and integrity.” Colonel Toussaint Bitala Madjoulba’s remains were then laid to rest in a private family ceremony.