Latest news with #Gnassingbe
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
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)
Morocco World
2 days ago
- Politics
- Morocco World
Security Forces Crackdown on Togolese Protesters
Rabat – Many people have taken to the streets of the Togolese capital of Lome to protest against Faure Gnassingbe's dictatorship. Gnassingbe's government responded with a major crackdown and clashes with activists . Between June 26 – 28, civil society activist organisations and social media pro-democracy influencers called for protesters to come to the streets to oppose the government of President Gnassingbe. Hundreds of people emerged onto the streets of the capital of Togo, Lome, and set up barricades with burning tyres in many neighbourhoods. They also fired projectiles at security forces, leading to violent clashes. A coalition of pro-democracy political organisations called the 'Hands off my constitution' said in a Facebook post on Wednesday that it 'strongly urges Faure Gnassingbe to immediately and unconditionally release all of the roughly one hundred political prisoners and to take urgent measures to restore purchasing powers to the population.' The police dispersed the crowds with tear gas and batons, pushing activists back. Military jeeps also appeared on the streets with the national army out in force. After the protests, security forces arrested several protesters to clamp down on the opposition . Hodabalo Awate, Togo's minister of the interior, did not respond to requests for comment on the actions of the security forces, remaining silent on the violent government response. The protests have been triggered by constitutional changes put into place by Gnassingbe, who has been in power since the death of his father in 2005. The President has removed term limits and changed his official role to the President of the Council of Ministers, a role equivalent to President, to help him remain in power. Critics and opposition activists have denounced this decision as a constitutional coup, which could extend Gnassingbe's period of office to allow him to become President for life. This is a major extension of authoritarian power in the Togolese Republic. Togo has also been facing a major cost-of-living crisis, which Amnesty International has linked to government mismanagement. Public protests have also been officially banned in Togo since 2022. This crackdown on opposition activists has strengthened the Gnassingbe dictatorship, but poses a greater threat to democracy in an unstable region . Tags: protests in togoTogotogolese republic
TimesLIVE
6 days ago
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Togo soldiers break up protests against longtime leader Gnassingbe
Soldiers in Togo used tear gas and batons on Thursday to disperse hundreds of protesters who blocked main roads in the capital to call for the resignation of longtime leader Faure Gnassingbe, Reuters witnesses said. The gathering organised by bloggers and activists highlighted persisting political strife in Togo, where last month Gnassingbe was given the powerful new role of President of the Council of Ministers that has no fixed term limit. Gnassingbe, whose family has ruled the West African nation since 1967, had previously served for two decades as president, and opposition parties have described his new appointment as a "constitutional coup" that could extend his rule for life. Protest organisers called for three days of gatherings, although participants on Thursday were quickly scattered by soldiers, Reuters witnesses said. Many shops remained closed as clashes continued into the afternoon, they said. Hodabalo Awate, Togo's minister of territorial administration, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on security forces' response to the protests.
