Latest news with #FaureGnassingbe
News24
6 hours ago
- Politics
- News24
Togo: Rights groups report several killed in demonstrations
Protests in Togo against constitutional reforms led to deadly violence by security forces. Long-time ruler Faure Gnassingbe is positioned to remain in power after controversial reforms. Authorities and civil society report deaths, with calls for an international investigation into abuses. Several people were killed during anti-government demonstrations over the weekend in Togo's capital, Lome, according to civil society groups. The unrest comes as Togo's long-time leader, Faure Gnassingbe, is positioned to remain in power indefinitely following controversial constitutional reforms. A grouping of civil society organisations and opposition parties in the West African country under the banner of 'Don't Touch my Constitution' said security forces assaulted protesters. Reuters news agency, citing witnesses, said security forces used tear gas and batons. The civil society groups said that seven people died during the protests, adding that several bodies were found in lakes and lagoons. The groups issued a statement denouncing 'abuses committed by elements of the security forces and militia' during the protests, and called for an 'international investigation'. Togolese authorities did not comment on the reports of violence against protesters at the hands of security forces. The government acknowledged in a statement on Sunday that bodies were recovered from a lagoon and lake in the capital, but said the victims died from drowning. Why are people protesting in Togo? The demonstrations over the weekend were the second in a month, after authorities clamped down on protesters in early June. About 50 arrests were reported by the authorities on 5 and 6 June. Another call to demonstrate was made for Tuesday. Omer Urer/Anadolu via Getty Images Demonstrations in Togo have been banned since a deadly attack in 2022 at a market in Lome. However, fears over democratic backsliding after the recent reforms have sparked protest. In May, Gnassingbe was sworn into the powerful new role of President of the Council of Ministers, which has no fixed term limit. Opposition politicians denounced the move as a 'constitutional coup'. Gnassingbe's former job as president has now been rendered mostly ceremonial. He has ruled Togo since 2005, having taken over as president from his father Gnassingbe Eyadema.
DW
a day ago
- Politics
- DW
Togo: Rights groups report several killed in demonstrations – DW – 07/01/2025
Togolese civil society groups have called for an investigation after they said several people were killed during anti-government protests in the capital. Several people were killed during anti-government demonstrations over the weekend in Togo's capital, Lome, according to civil society groups. The unrest comes as Togo's long-time leader, Faure Gnassingbe, is positioned to remain in power indefinitely following controversial constitutional reforms. A grouping of civil society organizations and opposition parties in the West African country under the banner of "Don't Touch my Constitution" said security forces assaulted protesters. Reuters news agency, citing witnesses, said security forces used tear gas and batons. The civil society groups said that seven people died during the protests, adding that several bodies were found in lakes and lagoons. The groups issued a statement denouncing "abuses committed by elements of the security forces and militia" during the protests, and called for an "international investigation." Togolese authorities did not comment on the reports of violence against protesters at the hands of security forces. The government acknowledged in a statement Sunday that bodies were recovered from a lagoon and lake in the capital, but said the victims died from drowning. The demonstrations over the weekend were the second in a month, after authorities clamped down on protesters in early June. About 50 arrests were reported by the authorities on June 5 and 6. Another call to demonstrate was made for Tuesday. Demonstrations in Togo have been banned since a deadly attack in 2022 at a market in Lome. However, fears over democratic backsliding after the recent reforms have sparked protest. In May, Gnassingbe was sworn into the powerful new role of President of the Council of Ministers, which has no fixed term limit. Opposition politicians denounced the move as a "constitutional coup." Gnassingbe former job as president has now been rendered mostly ceremonial. He has ruled Togo since 2005, having taken over as president from his father Gnassingbe view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
TimesLIVE
2 days ago
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Seven killed during Togo protests, say civil society groups
Seven people were killed during anti-government protests in Togo last week, said human rights activists, who accused security forces of using "shocking violence" against protesters. The protests calling for the resignation of longtime leader Faure Gnassingbe amid what government critics describe as a cost of living crisis began last Thursday. Reuters witnesses saw soldiers use tear gas and batons to disperse them. A joint statement by 12 Togolese civil society and human rights groups also accused security forces of carrying out arbitrary arrests, beating civilians with batons and ropes and stealing and destroying private property. The groups said three bodies, two of them minors, were found on Friday in Be lagoon, east of the capital Lome. They said the bodies of two brothers were found on the same day in a lake in Lome's Akodessewa district. And they said two more bodies were discovered on Saturday in Nyekonakpoe, also in Lome. A government statement dated Sunday acknowledged bodies were recovered from Be lagoon and the Akodessewa lake but said the deaths were due to drowning. "The government expresses its sympathy to bereaved families and reminds all residents near water bodies to observe safety rules around water areas, especially during this rainy season," the statement said.
Reuters
2 days ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Seven killed during Togo protests, civil society groups say
LOME, June 30 (Reuters) - Seven people were killed during anti-government protests in Togo last week, said human rights activists, who accused security forces of using "shocking violence" against protesters. The protests calling for the resignation of longtime leader Faure Gnassingbe amid what government critics describe as a cost of living crisis began last Thursday. Reuters witnesses saw soldiers use tear gas and batons to disperse them. A joint statement by 12 Togolese civil society and human rights groups also accused security forces of carrying out arbitrary arrests, beating civilians with batons and ropes and stealing and destroying private property. The groups said three bodies, two of them minors, were found on Friday in Be lagoon, east of the capital Lome. They said the bodies of two brothers were found on the same day in a lake in Lome's Akodessewa district. And they said two more bodies were discovered on Saturday in Nyekonakpoe, also in Lome. A government statement dated Sunday acknowledged bodies were recovered from Be lagoon and the Akodessewa lake but said the deaths were due to drowning. "The government expresses its sympathy to bereaved families and reminds all residents near water bodies to observe safety rules around water areas, especially during this rainy season," the statement said. The protests were part of persistent political strife in Togo, where in May Gnassingbe took the powerful new role of President of the Council of Ministers that has no fixed term limit. Civil society groups say the new title for Gnassingbe, whose family has ruled Togo since 1967, is another indication of democratic backsliding in West Africa, a region known for coups and leaders entrenching themselves in power for generations. Hodabalo Awate, Togo's minister of territorial administration, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the handling of the protests. Sunday's government statement commended the security forces' response and said there had been "several" arrests. Togolese authorities arrested dozens of people on June 5-6 during protests against Gnassingbe's new role in what Amnesty International described as a crackdown on dissent. Many were quickly released, the rights group said.
The Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Seven killed during Togo protests, civil society groups say
Makeshift barricades burn as people protest against Togo's longtime leader, Faure Gnassingbe, in Lome, Togo June 26, Alice Lawson LOME (Reuters) -Seven people were killed during anti-government protests in Togo last week, said human rights activists, who accused security forces of using "shocking violence" against protesters. The protests calling for the resignation of longtime leader Faure Gnassingbe amid what government critics describe as a cost of living crisis began last Thursday. Reuters witnesses saw soldiers use tear gas and batons to disperse them. A joint statement by 12 Togolese civil society and human rights groups also accused security forces of carrying out arbitrary arrests, beating civilians with batons and ropes and stealing and destroying private property. The groups said three bodies, two of them minors, were found on Friday in Be lagoon, east of the capital Lome. They said the bodies of two brothers were found on the same day in a lake in Lome's Akodessewa district. And they said two more bodies were discovered on Saturday in Nyekonakpoe, also in Lome. A government statement dated Sunday acknowledged bodies were recovered from Be lagoon and the Akodessewa lake but said the deaths were due to drowning. "The government expresses its sympathy to bereaved families and reminds all residents near water bodies to observe safety rules around water areas, especially during this rainy season," the statement said. The protests were part of persistent political strife in Togo, where in May Gnassingbe took the powerful new role of President of the Council of Ministers that has no fixed term limit. Civil society groups say the new title for Gnassingbe, whose family has ruled Togo since 1967, is another indication of democratic backsliding in West Africa, a region known for coups and leaders entrenching themselves in power for generations. Hodabalo Awate, Togo's minister of territorial administration, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the handling of the protests. Sunday's government statement commended the security forces' response and said there had been "several" arrests. Togolese authorities arrested dozens of people on June 5-6 during protests against Gnassingbe's new role in what Amnesty International described as a crackdown on dissent. Many were quickly released, the rights group said. (Reporting by Togo newsroomWriting by Ayen Deng BiorEditing by Robbie Corey-Boulet and Ros Russell)
