At least seven people have been killed and dozens more injured during anti-government protests that took place in Togo’s capital, Lomé, from Thursday to Saturday last week, according to preliminary figures provided by local human rights and civil society organizations on Sunday.
The demonstrations, organized by civil society activists and bloggers, were primarily in response to recent constitutional reforms that critics contend could further entrench President Faure Gnassingbé’s hold on power, potentially allowing him to remain indefinitely as the head of the Council of Ministers. Protesters also cited a government crackdown on dissent and the rising cost of living as motivations for the unrest.
During the demonstrations, protesters reportedly blocked streets, burned tires, and erected makeshift barricades. Footage circulating on social media showed clashes between demonstrators and security forces, with police deploying tear gas in several neighborhoods and allegedly using batons against protesters, causing injuries.
The civic groups, including one known by the acronym ODDH, stated that seven bodies were recovered from a lake in Akodessewa and a lagoon in the Be district of Lomé. They accused Togolese security forces and militias of committing abuses against the protestors. The organizations also reported that more than 60 people were arrested during the three days of protests.
Togolese authorities have not yet released an official statement on the deaths or arrests from these specific protests. However, a local gendarmerie unit had previously reported two deaths by drowning, though this figure was disputed by the civic groups who link the deaths directly to the unrest. Earlier in June, the government had warned the public against disseminating “unfounded information likely to provoke serious disturbance to public order” via social media.
