Bolloré Case in Togo
For justice beyond
borders
Why was a legal action brought against Bolloré?
Sherpa recalls that any person accused or prosecuted by a national or international jurisdiction is presumed innocent until found guilty by a final court decision. In this respect, an appealable decision does not constitute a final decision.
Between 1986 and 2023, the Bolloré group has been a major actor in the African logistics transport market. In 2013, French authorities opened a judicial investigation on companies and executives of the Bolloré Group, suspected of having allegedly financed the re-election of the president of Togo, Faure Gnassingbé, through a group subsidiary under-invoicing its services. In exchange, the Togolese leader allegedly enabled Vincent Bolloré to win back the concession for the Port of Lomé, the only deep-water port of the West African Coast.
During the proceedings, Sherpa and Anticor joined as civil parties, recalling the public and the authorities of the importance of holding public debates on corruption cases to secure the participation of victims.
Taking part in this legal action, Sherpa has highlighted the dangers of negotiated justice for financial crime and the development of a derogatory criminal law for companies and their directors.
Timeline
Key dates
Impact
Why initiate legal action?
The law is a tool of power in a globalised world. It underpins power relations and encourages impunity for the most powerful. Because of their transnational nature, or the political and economic stakes involved, many violations escape justice. Bringing cases before the courts means putting the debate back on a legal footing, giving a voice to the people affected and thus restoring the legal tool to social movements.
Thanks to the work of NGOs and journalists, the consequences of globalisation are increasingly being documented and denounced. Our legal actions make it possible to initiate an contentious proceedings, establish the facts and apply the rules of law to these situations. They also aim to provide practical solutions by putting a stop to violations, holding the players concerned responsible and/or enabling victims to obtain compensation.
In support of our advocacy and in parallel with our legal laboratory and capacity-sharing activities, our legal actions are designed to contribute to wider and lasting change. They fuel public debate to highlight the limits of the legal framework and the obstacles facing the victims of globalised capitalism. They set precedents that shape a more protective legal framework.
