Togo soldiers disperse demonstrations opposing the longstanding leader
In Togo, hundreds of demonstrators blocked major roads in the city on Thursday, demanding the resignation of longstanding leader Faure Gnassingbe. According to Reuters witnesses, soldiers used tear gas and batons to remove the demonstrators.
Last month, Gnassingbe was appointed to the powerful new position of President of the Council of Ministers, which has no term restriction. The event, which was organized by bloggers and activists, brought attention to the ongoing political unrest in Togo.
Gnassingbe, whose family has controlled the West African country since 1967, was president for 20 years before his recent nomination, which opposition parties have characterized as a “constitutional coup” that could prolong his power indefinitely.
According to Reuters witnesses, protest organizers called for three days of demonstrations, but on Thursday, military swiftly dispersed protesters. They said that when fights persisted into the afternoon, several stores stayed closed.
Togo’s territorial administration minister, Hodabalo Awate, did not immediately reply to a request for comment regarding the reaction of security forces to the demonstrations.
Black smoke rose above the streets as some demonstrators in the capital Lome’s suburbs set fire to tires and wooden furniture that had been used as impromptu barriers.
We’re starving. A 30-year-old jobless man named Kossi Albert stated, “We’re going out to protest this morning because nothing works for Togolese youth anymore,” and he added that he intended to return on Friday.
Amnesty International said that Togolese authorities arrested dozens of individuals on June 5–6 amid rallies against Gnassingbe’s new role and what opponents called a cost-of-living crisis and a crackdown on dissent.
The rights group claimed that many were promptly freed.
French state-funded international news organizations RFI and France 24 were accused of lacking objectivity and rigor, and Togo banned their broadcasts for three months last week.
