logo
'He just wanted to play football': A family mourns a 15-year-old as Togo cracks down on protests

'He just wanted to play football': A family mourns a 15-year-old as Togo cracks down on protests

LOME, Togo (AP) — The family courtyard where Jacques Koami Koutoglo used to play football with his cousins in a working-class neighborhood in Togo 's capital now sits silent. The ball he once kicked around lies deflated beside a bundle of firewood.
'Jacques died for Togo,' his uncle, Koutoglo Kossi Mawuli, said quietly, eyes heavy with grief.
The 15-year-old is one of several people who died during mass protests in the West African nation against constitutional changes that many fear will cement President Faure Gnassingbé's grip on power — and lengthen a ruling dynasty that has lasted over half a century.
The 59-year-old Gnassingbé, who has ruled since 2005 after his father's death, was sworn in as president of the Council of Ministers in May. The executive body was created last year with little notice by a parliament whose term had just expired, and Gnassingbé swiftly signed off on the constitutional change despite public outcry. The new role has no term limits, and Gnassingbé can stay on indefinitely.
Local civil society groups and social media influencers had called for protests last month after the government announced a clampdown on demonstrations. Many young Togolese are drawing inspiration from recent uprisings across West Africa, where youth movements challenged entrenched regimes.
Koutoglo had just completed secondary school and was eagerly waiting for exam results. He had dreams of becoming a footballer and spent evenings practicing his moves. He often helped at his uncle's cafeteria during school breaks.
On the morning of June 26, the day of the protests, he vanished.
'Since our family compound is large and full of cousins, we assumed he was with someone else,' Mawuli said. But when evening came and the boy hadn't returned, unease turned into panic.
The next day, a fisherman discovered a body floating in the lagoon a hundred meters (yards) from their home. The family rushed to the scene. It was Koutoglo. His face was bruised, and blood had streamed from his nose.
'He didn't go to any rally,' Mawuli said. 'He must have panicked when he heard the tear gas and gunshots. He got caught up in the chaos.'
Civil society groups say at least five people, including Koutoglo, died during the demonstrations and dozens were injured, and accuse security forces of making arbitrary arrests, assaulting civilians with batons and ropes, and looting or vandalizing private property.
In Koutoglo's neighborhood of Bè, a densely populated and historically restive part of Lomé, witnesses described security forces chasing down youth, even into private homes.
'They came into our courtyard. They fired gas. They beat people,' said a neighbor who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.
Koutoglo was buried swiftly, in line with local customs for those who die violently. The other victims were taken to the morgue.
Koutoglo's uncle said the family intends to press charges and demand an independent investigation into his nephew's death.
'You can't just beat our children to death and expect us to be silent. We are tired,' he said.
Civil society groups said the justice system has made no arrests and has not requested an autopsy.
'These acts, marked by unspeakable cruelty, amount to a state crime. The perpetrators struck without restraint and killed without distinction,' they said in a statement.
In a statement read out on state television, Togo's government acknowledged that bodies were recovered from the Bè lagoon and the Akodessewa lake but said the victims died from drowning. The government said there would be a further investigation.
Across Togo, Koutoglo's name has joined a long list of young lives cut short during moments of national tension.
'This is not the first time,' Mawuli said. 'Back in 2017, children died too. It's like nothing ever changes. But this time, we refuse to stay quiet.'
In 2017 and 2018, mass protests challenged President Faure Gnassingbé's long rule. A government crackdown left at least 16 dead, including teenagers.
To those still protesting, Mawuli sent a message of solidarity: 'Don't give up. This fight is for our children. For Jacques. For all of us.'
New protests are planned for July 16 and 17.
Fabien Offner, a researcher with Amnesty International, said Togo has a 'repressive architecture' that has normalized arbitrary arrests, beatings and impunity.
'They're routine now,' he said. 'And the lack of global reaction only deepens the crisis.'
Government spokesman Gilbert Bawara defended the state's approach. He told reporters the recent constitutional changes followed proper procedures, and dismissed allegations of systemic abuse.
'If there are grievances, let them be addressed through lawful channels,' he said.
But with opposition figures sidelined, institutions dominated by the ruling party and elections widely seen as flawed, critics say these channels offer little hope.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Police issue update as protest groups gathered outside Essex hotel
Police issue update as protest groups gathered outside Essex hotel

Yahoo

time3 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Police issue update as protest groups gathered outside Essex hotel

Peaceful protests took place outside an Essex hotel this afternoon, police confirmed. Specific measures were put in place by Essex Police as further protests took place outside The Bell Hotel in Epping. A ban on face coverings and designated areas for protestors and counter-protestors were introduced to allow calm procedures. A group of protesters against The Bell Hotel formed at around 1pm and officers facilitated a march by a group of counter-protests from the tube station to their designated area at 4pm before escorting them back a short time later. Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow said: 'I want to thank those who attended for the peaceful nature of both protests. 'Our role is to ensure that you can express your democratic right to protest safely and lawfully and we had a proportionate and robust plan in place to ensure that could happen. 'I am pleased that today has passed off without incident and I am grateful to our colleagues from other forces for their support.' A police spokesman confirmed three arrests were made on Sunday. A 52-year-old man from Loughton on suspicion of a public order offence, a 53-year-old Loughton woman, from the anti-hotel protest group, on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence connected with a previous protest, and a 27-year-old woman, from the counter-protest group, on suspicion of criminal damage and a public order offence. They are all currently in custody.

Police Scotland announce number of arrests at UKIP and Trump protests
Police Scotland announce number of arrests at UKIP and Trump protests

Yahoo

time14 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Police Scotland announce number of arrests at UKIP and Trump protests

Police Scotland have announced there were three arrests at various protests across Scotland on Saturday. There were anti-Trump rallies in Aberdeen and Edinburgh, while in Glasgow anti-racists gathered to oppose a UKIP 'mass deportation' event. At the latter, one person was arrested for allegedly obstructing police. A teenager was arrested in Aberdeen due to outstanding warrants and a man was arrested in connection with an alleged assault. Read More: LIVE: Donald Trump in Scotland as President spends second day at Turnberry 'Awa wi ye': What I saw at Donald Trump's frosty welcome in Aberdeen Large group of anti-fascist protestors oppose 'mass deportation' rally In Edinburgh, a woman was warned for threatening behaviour. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Police officers took action at demonstrations and protest events across the country yesterday, Saturday, 26 July, 2025. "In Aberdeen, an 18-year-old man was arrested in connection with a number of outstanding warrants and will appear at court at a later date. "A 56-year-old man will be subject of a report to the Procurator Fiscal following an alleged assault in Aberdeen city centre. "In Glasgow, a 49-year-old woman was arrested in connection with an alleged obstruction of the police following an incident in George Square. A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal. "A 50-year-old woman was issued with a Recorded Police Warning in connection with alleged threatening behaviour in Regent Terrace, Edinburgh."

Scots Do Not Hold Back While Showing Trump How They Really Feel About The President's Visit
Scots Do Not Hold Back While Showing Trump How They Really Feel About The President's Visit

Yahoo

time15 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Scots Do Not Hold Back While Showing Trump How They Really Feel About The President's Visit

Donald Trump has, in his usual fashion, caused an enormous stir after touching down in Scotland on Friday. The US president managed to play golf at his course on the Scottish coast on Saturday without being disturbed, but protests at his presence were erupting across the country. Trump and his son Eric played on Turnberry, the family course they've had for a decade, with US ambassador to the UK Warren Stephens. Meanwhile, more than 100 miles away, hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the US Consulate in Edinburgh, making it plain that Trump was not at all welcome. Many also lashed out at UK prime minister Keir Starmer for striking up a new trade deal with Trump in a bid to avoid US tariffs on foreign imports. Trump is set to meet with Starmer, Scotland's first minister John Swinney and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen during his five-day trip, while also making time to visit his second golf club in the region. Demonstrators rallied together ahead of his visit, with Pro-Palestine campaigners, environmental activists and pro-Ukraine groups uniting to create a loose group called the 'Stop Trump Coalition'. During Saturday's protests, some people brought bagpipes, while others wore outfits from the dystopian world of The Handmaid's Tale. One protester told broadcasters: 'We should not be opening Scotland or the UK to somebody with Trump's background. 'Trump is an abhorrent human being with no saving graces.' Anti-Trump protestors on Sky News, "We should not be opening Scotland or the UK to somebody with Trump's background""Trump is an abhorrent human being with no saving graces" — Farrukh (@implausibleblog) July 26, 2025 The left-wing, pro-independent newspaper The National also joined in with their Friday front page which featured Trump's mug shot and the headline: 'Convicted US felon to arrive in Scotland.' Amid backlash online, the newspaper then asked which part of their front page is factually inaccurate. Today's front page 📰 Convicted US felon to arrive in ScotlandOur front page has caused a stir online, prompting anger from Donald Trump's supporters. So, we want to ask: which part is factually inaccurate? 🤔 — The National (@ScotNational) July 25, 2025 Others got... a little more personal... Some really lent into their Scottish dialect to make sure the insults hit home.... Large crowds gathered with handwritten placards... Related... Trump Claims He 'Never Went' To Epstein's Island And Tells People To Focus On Bill Clinton Instead Joe Rogan On Trump Administration's Handling Of Epstein Files: 'Do You Think We're Babies?' Trump Doesn't Rule Out Pardoning Ghislaine Maxwell

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store