Soldiers Disperse Protests Against Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbé

Soldiers in Togo used tear gas and batons to disperse hundreds of protesters in the capital city, who were calling for the resignation of President Faure Gnassingbé. The protesters blocked main roads, highlighting the country’s ongoing political tensions. Gnassingbé’s new role as President of the Council of Ministers, a position with no fixed term limit, has sparked widespread criticism. The opposition views this move as a “constitutional coup” that could allow him to rule for life, given his family’s uninterrupted rule since 1967 and his previous two-decade presidency.

The protests, organized by bloggers and activists, were planned for three days, but Thursday’s gathering was quickly dispersed by soldiers. Shops remained closed as clashes continued into the afternoon. In the suburbs of Lomé, protesters burned wooden furniture and tires, creating makeshift barricades that sent black smoke billowing into the streets.

One protester, 30-year-old unemployed Kossi Albert, expressed frustration over the current state of affairs, saying, “We’re hungry. Nothing works for Togolese youth anymore.” Despite the dispersal, Albert planned to join the protests again on Friday.

This recent unrest follows the arrest of dozens of people on June 5-6, who were protesting Gnassingbé’s new role and the rising cost of living. Many were released shortly after, according to Amnesty International. Additionally, Togo suspended broadcasts of French news outlets RFI and France 24 for three months, citing lack of impartiality.