Civic rights groups say no fewer than seven people have been killed during a crackdown on protesters who are calling for Togo’s leader, Faure Gnassingbé, to step down and release political prisoners.
According to reports, scores more individuals were injured, including some critically.
It comes just weeks after Gnassingbé, who served as president for two decades and whose family has ruled the country for 58 years, was sworn in as President of the Council of Ministers, a position with no official time restriction.
The Togolese administration has now threatened legal action against the protest organisers, referring to the demonstrations as a “campaign of disinformation and hatred” conducted from overseas.
Demonstrations have been outlawed in the West African country since 2022, with officials blaming “security concerns”.
Three days of demonstrations by online activists and youth-led movements began in Lomé, the capital, on Thursday, before turning violent on Friday and Saturday.
Anti-riot police sprayed tear gas at the protesters, who showered them with stones.
Some resolute anti-government protestors battled security forces in street confrontations in numerous areas regarded as opposition strongholds, including Bè, where police chased demonstrators into their hiding places.
A coalition of 23 Togolese civil rights organisations, dubbed the “National Platform for Civic Space and Development Effectiveness”, has urged authorities to conduct investigations into the deadly police repression.
They denounced what they defined as “the use of disproportionate force against peaceful demonstrators”, indicating that “peaceful protest is a fundamental right, recognised both by the Togolese Constitution and by international instruments ratified by our country”.
By Sunday, most of Lomé had returned to normal, with stores reopening at the major central market in Assigamé and enterprises running as usual.
The recent regime shift initiated by Togo’s leader has fuelled discontent.
In addition to the new position, which he can hold indefinitely, Togo’s constitutional amendment eliminated presidential elections and replaced them with a legislative system.
Last month’s arrest and psychiatric detention of Togolese rapper Narcisse Essowè Tchalla, popularly known as Aamron, sparked public outcry, resulting in over 50 arrests during rallies earlier this month.
Though most have been released, at least three persons are still in detention.
