Togo: Government action ahead of opposition protests Sept 6-7 /update 2

Event

Protests organized by various opposition groups - the Pan-African National Party (PNP), the Combat pour l'Alternance Politique en 2015 (CAP 2015), and the Groupe des Six – will take place throughout the country, in particular in the capital Lomé, on Wednesday, September 6, and Thursday, September 7. The precise location and timing of the demonstrations are currently unknown. Increased security measures and traffic disruptions should be expected wherever the rallies are held. In the meantime, an internet shutdown and a social media blockade have been reported, a move seen by activists as a means of thwarting the protests. Furthermore, the government announced that a draft legislation has been adopted in order to amend the Constitution, regarding presidential term limits and a two-round election system, in order to ease the current tense sociopolitical climate. Nevertheless, opposition activists appear determined to carry out protests as planned.

Context

Thousands of PNP supporters demonstrated in Lomé on August 19 and 20. Clashes between protesters and security forces, who fired tear gas to disperse the crowds, resulted in two deaths, 77 people injured, and 250 more arrested. Following a press conference on August 22, the PNP and the CAP 2015 coalition announced they would combine their efforts to better lobby for their demanded political reforms. On August 25, a general strike in tribute to the victims of the August 19-20 protests was widely observed in Lomé.

Opposition parties are demanding, among other things, the immediate and unconditional release of those arrested during the August 19-20 protests, the immediate cessation of prosecutions and violence against PNP activists and leaders, and the establishment of an independent international commission to investigate violent incidents at the last protest.

PNP leaders also regularly organize demonstrations to demand institutional reforms promised by the president during the 2015 electoral campaign. The opposition demands amendments to the constitutional provisions on presidential term limits, as well as the implementation of a two-round election system and a restructuring of constitutional and electoral courts. Faure Gnassingbé has been the president of Togo since 2005 and, despite opposition objections, ran for re-election in 2015 - defeating opposition candidate and CAP 2015 leader Jean-Pierre Fabre.

Advice

Individuals present in Togo, particularly in Lomé, are advised to monitor developments to the situation and avoid all demonstrations as violence may flare up without warning.