Togo: Protests in Lomé October 5

Event

The Standing Togo Citizen Front civil society group has called for a protest to take place in Lomé on Friday, October 5, to demand the release of the remaining opposition activists still being detained. Protesters are expected to gather at 08:00 (local time) in the Be Kondjindji suburb and in College Plateau, before marching towards and converging at the Lomé Courthouse.

Furthermore, the Martin Luther King Movement (MMLK) has called for an unrelated protest to take place in front of the Ministry of Sports on October 5, beginning at 08:30.

While both gatherings are expected to be peaceful, security forces could attempt to disperse either or both, which would likely result in clashes.

Context

The current wave of political protests comes amid negotiations - which resumed on June 27 after a three-month suspension - between the government and the opposition. According to a statement issued by opposition leaders, the government has refused to comply with a list of demands that had already been agreed upon, including the return to the 1992 constitution as well as a referendum on constitutional amendments to reform the electoral system.

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 ongoing since mid-August 2017.

Advice

Individuals in Togo, particularly Lomé, are advised to avoid all public gatherings (especially political events) due to the risk of violence, monitor the situation, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities and their home governments.