TOGO’S government has declared a planned three-day opposition protest this week as illegal, escalating tensions in the West African nation amid arrests of opposition figures and legislative changes aimed at scrapping presidential elections.
The interior and security ministries issued statements branding the upcoming protests, set to commence Thursday, as a serious threat to public order. Additionally, the government postponed parliamentary elections until April 29, citing logistical considerations.
In response, a spokesman for the opposition coalition organising the protests, Eric Dupuy, criticised the government’s tactics, telling The Associated Press (AP), ‘Whenever they’re in a panic, they’re ready to use any kind of tricks against the opposition. It doesn’t move us.’
This latest confrontation follows the recent arrest of nine opposition activists for engaging in political activities at a market. Although released on Tuesday evening, the arrests were condemned as arbitrary and abusive by spokesperson Thomas Kokou Nsoukpoe.
The crux of the political tension stems from new legislation passed in late March, which, upon enactment, would empower parliament to select the president, effectively eliminating direct elections. This move is widely perceived as an attempt by President Faure Gnassingbe to extend his tenure beyond its 2025 expiration.
Opposition factions, alongside clergy members, argue that the constitutional amendments are part of Gnassingbe’s strategy to entrench his rule. Previous opposition demonstrations in 2005 and 2017 resulted in deadly crackdowns by security forces, prompting widespread fear and distrust among the populace.
Aimé Adi, leader of Amnesty International’s Togo branch, expressed concerns about potential mass responses to the opposition’s call for protests, highlighting the government’s history of forceful repression.
Togo, a nation of about 8 million people, has been under the dominance of the same family for 57 years, initially under Eyadema Gnassingbe and subsequently under his son, Faure Gnassingbe. Gnassingbe assumed office in 2005 amid controversial elections characterized by the opposition as fraudulent.
While some legal experts argue that the new constitution could constrain future presidents with a one-term limit and increased powers for a prime minister-like figure, opposition voices remain wary of potential avenues for Gnassingbe to consolidate authority through the creation of a new executive position.