most of its West African neighbours, which are bucking a trend toward life-long presidencies elsewhere on the continent.

Gnassingbe, now in his third term, dropped the reforms until parliament this week attempted to cap future presidencies to two terms of five years, but the bill did not get enough backing due to an opposition boycott and will be decided by referendum instead.

In Lome, people wearing the red and orange T-shirts of the opposition banged on tam-tams and sang a traditional battle song "Strength to the Great" in the local Ewe language. Others carried a giant banner saying: "People of Togo say No! 50 years is enough!"

"The referendum is not what we want. We are asking for the president to leave," said 42-year-old Paulin Kossi.

Nearby, a large crowd gathered onGranite City Residents Demand Toxic Waste Cleanup

A water treatment facility operates near contaminated soil at the Jennison-Wright site.

(KWMU staff)

By Matt Sepic, KWMU

Granite City, Ill – Metro-East environmental and religious activists say the federal government is neglecting a Superfund toxic waste site in Granite City.

The Jennison-Wright Corporation left behind creosote-contaminated soil when it closed a wood treatment plant in 1990. The plant was used to coat railroad ties with creosote.

The Rev. Sharon Smith of United Congregations of Metro-East says the U.S. EPA should make the site a priority.

"We want the Bush Administration to increase the funding, and fund Jennison-Wright, so that this toxic waste will no longer harm our communities and our children," Smith said.

The Illinois EPA recently removed the company's abandoned factory buildings, but does not have the