Latest news with #HandsOffMyConstitution
Associated Press
2 days ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
Togo's president faces calls to resign after protests over new role allowing indefinite rule
LOME, Togo (AP) — Togo's President Faure Gnassingbé is facing growing pressure following a government clampdown on protests calling for his resignation over recent changes in the constitution that could effectively keep him in power indefinitely. Activists on Tuesday condemned the arrest and alleged maltreatment of dozens of people following staged protests late last week in Togo's capital, Lomé, and on social media. The Togolese leader, who has ruled since 2005 after the death of his father, was in May sworn in as President of the Council of Ministers. The powerful role has not official term limits and he is eligible to be re-elected by parliament indefinitely. Opposition politicians have denounced the move as a 'constitutional coup.' Around half of the 80 protesters who were arrested were released late Monday. However, at least 25 remain in custody, a local rights group said, urging authorities to release the others. 'What we know is that several people were beaten during their arrest,' Aimé Adi, director of Amnesty International's office in Togo, told The Associated Press. In addition to the release of the remaining detainees, 'what the Togolese now want is the end of this regime which can no longer offer anything to the people after 20 years of absolute and repressive power of Faure Gnassingbé,' said a coalition of political groups known as 'Hands Off My Constitution'. Demonstrations are rare in Togo as they have been banned in the country since 2022, following a deadly attack at Lome's main market. But the latest change in government structure has been widely criticized in a region threatened by rampant coups and other threats to democracy. Public prosecutor Talaka Mawama has defended the arrests and described the protests as 'part of a revolt against the institutions of the Republic.'
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Togo releases dozens detained in anti-government protests
AI- Generated Image More than 50 people detained during anti-government protests in Togo last week have been released, while others remain in custody, the public prosecutor said. Dozens of protesters were dispersed with tear gas overnight from June 5 to 6 in several parts of the capital Lome, including near the presidential palace. They had gathered in response to a call by a popular rapper, Aamron, to denounce arrests of dissenting voices, rising electricity prices and constitutional changes by the government of President Faure Gnassingbe, in power since 2005. Protests have been banned in Togo since 2022, following a deadly attack at Lome's main market, though public meetings are still allowed. "A total of 56 people were released" by the government on "charges deemed light", public prosecutor Talaka Mawama said in a televised statement on Monday. However, "the custody period for some of those arrested has been extended to allow for certain necessary investigative steps", he added. "These people will also be presented to the prosecutor's office in the coming hours." The prosecutor said the demonstrations "are clearly part of a revolt against the institutions of the republic". The "Hands Off My Constitution" coalition of opposition parties and civic groups earlier told AFP it "strongly condemns the mass and arbitrary arrests" made on June 5 and 6. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Good News: You May Be Richer Than You Think Undo Calls for protests intensified after Aamron, whose real name is Essowe Tchalla, reappeared in a video 10 days after he was arrested from his home in the capital Lome on May 26. In the hours leading to his arrest, he had joined others in calling for the protests. But in the video, he apologised to the president and said he was in a psychiatric hospital for what he described as "severe depression". The rapper is still being held in the hospital, one of his lawyers, Celestin Agbogan, told reporters Monday, adding "there are no legal proceedings against Aamron".
