Protests Erupt in Togo’s Capital Amid Calls for President’s Resignation

• Clashes erupted in Lomé as protesters demand President Gnassingbé’s resignation.
• Heavy police presence was reported, with protests growing increasingly violent.
• Coalition ‘Hands Off My Constitution’ urged the release of political prisoners.
• Gnassingbé’s constitutional changes have drawn allegations of a coup.
• Protests have been banned since 2022, making recent demonstrations notable.

Protests Erupt in Lomé Amid Calls for Resignation

Protests erupted in Lomé, Togo’s capital, on Thursday as demonstrators clashed with security forces, marking a significant escalation of dissent against President Faure Gnassingbé. The unrest follows rising discontent over the recent changes to the constitution that many believe will allow him to extend his power indefinitely. A stark police presence was noted across the city, with numerous businesses shuttered and protests escalating into violent confrontations in multiple districts.

Security Forces Engage with Violent Protesters

Protesters, numbering in the hundreds, built concrete block barricades in various neighborhoods, even setting tires ablaze and hurling stones at the advancing security forces. In response, military reinforcements arrived in several areas, while police utilized tear gas to disperse the crowds. Reports from the Bè neighborhood indicated that around ten individuals were arrested as tensions mounted in this opposition stronghold, highlighting the government’s increasingly aggressive approach to curbing dissent.

Political Coalition Calls for Continued Resistance

Civil society organizations, along with influential figures on social media, had organized these demonstrations on specific dates including June 26, 27, and 28, reacting against an earlier government crackdown on protests. The coalition known as “Hands Off My Constitution” is at the forefront of these calls, demanding the release of approximately one hundred political prisoners and urging the government to address critical economic issues affecting the populace. Critics, including opposition leaders, have labeled Gnassingbé’s recent ascendancy to the role of President of the Council of Ministers as a constitutional coup, further destabilizing the country’s political situation already weakened by a ban on protests since 2022 following violent incidents.

The ongoing protests in Lomé signify growing unrest among the Togo populace regarding President Faure Gnassingbé’s administration and its constitutional maneuvers. With organizers calling for peaceful demonstrations amid escalating violence, the situation remains on a precarious edge. The government’s response and the actions of the opposition will surely play a critical role in determining the future political landscape in Togo.