Togo: Tensions remain high despite government actions /update 6

Event

On Sunday, September 10, authorities reportedly restored internet connectivity throughout the country after massive opposition protests prompted several days of service cuts. The Parliament has also announced plans to hold a special session at a yet-to-be-determined date, originally scheduled for Tuesday, September 12, to discuss constitutional amendments regarding presidential and parliamentary term limits as well as a two-round election system, in a bid to ease the current tense sociopolitical climate. It is currently unclear whether related opposition protests initially planned to coincide with the special session will go ahead on Tuesday or will be delayed along with the parliamentary session. An opposition meeting is also scheduled to take place in Lomé on Friday, September 15, although details concerning its specific place and time have not been released. Additional protests are likely in the coming days and further violence cannot be ruled out.

Context

Security forces fired tear gas at thousands of protesters conducting a late-night sit-in at an intersection on September 7; at least 80 people were arrested following an opposition protest on the same date. Previously, an estimated 100,000 people participated in nationwide opposition protests on Wednesday, September 6. The protests were 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. These protests occurred despite a government-imposed restriction of internet access and mobile data on September 5.

Last month, 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.