Togo: Opposition calls for additional protests April 23-27 /update 3

Event

Opposition parties have called for anti-government protests to take place nationwide during the week of April 23-27, to demand, among other things, a return to the 1992 constitution. As of Thursday, April 19, opposition parties have not released details, including the dates and locations, of the planned protests. According to local sources, at least one protester was killed, and 174 more wounded (including 92 in severe condition) during nationwide opposition protests which took place on April 11-14. In addition, security forces reportedly arrested 253 protesters, 26 of who remain incarcerated as of April 19.

Heightened security measures, and associated traffic disruptions (e.g. due to roadblocks) are likely nationwide, and especially in Lomé, in the coming days and weeks.

Context

The ongoing wave of protests come amid negotiations - ongoing since February - between the government and the opposition, a period of time when political protests were supposed to be suspended to facilitate the talks. According to a statement issued by opposition leaders, demonstrations had recently been planned to denounce the government's alleged refusal to comply with a list of demands that had already been agreed upon, including a return to the 1992 constitution and the organization of a referendum on constitutional amendments.

Thousands of people have taken to the streets in recent months to demand that President Faure Gnassingbé, in power since 2005, step down. Over a dozen people have been killed in opposition protests since mid-August 2017.

Advice

Individuals in Togo, particularly in Lomé, are advised to avoid all public gatherings (especially political events) due to the risk of violence and to monitor the situation.