Togo: Government bans demonstrations on weekdays /update 18

Event

On Tuesday, October 10, the government implemented a ban on all demonstrations between Monday and Friday until further notice in an attempt to maintain public order. According to the Minister of Security, demonstrations are still permitted on weekends. However, prior to the announcement, the opposition coalition called for protests to take place on Wednesday, October 18, in front of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) building. It remains unclear if the protest will go ahead as planned despite the ban. In any case, further demonstrations are likely in the short term.

Context

Numerous opposition sit-ins and marches - some of which turned violent - have been held in Lomé and other cities over the past two months. Demonstrations have been organized by various opposition groups, including the Pan-African National Party (PNP), the Combat pour l'Alternance Politique en 2015 (CAP 2015), and the Groupe des Six. Thousands have taken to the streets demanding that President Faure Gnassingbe, who has been in power since 2005, step down. Gnassingbe is currently serving his third term after taking power following the death of his father. Demonstrators have also demanded the unconditional release of those arrested during protests that took place on August 19-20, the immediate cessation of prosecutions and violence against PNP activists and leaders, and the establishment of an independent international commission to investigate violence by security forces against protesters.

On September 19, parliament failed to approve a draft bill that would amend the constitution to reduce the presidential term limit. The government had hoped the bill would appease the opposition, who demand institutional reforms promised by Gnassingbe during the 2015 electoral campaign. Parliament reportedly intends to bypass the legislature by organizing a referendum on the issue; opposition figures have denounced the vote.

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.