Latest news with #TogoProtests
Arab News
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Violent Togo protest crackdown must be investigated: Amnesty
ABIDJAN: Amnesty International called Thursday for an independent investigation into allegations that Togo's security forces killed, tortured and kidnapped people in a violent crackdown on anti-government protests last month. Ruled for 58 years by leader Faure Gnassingbe and his late father, Togo has been rocked in recent weeks by rare protests in the capital, Lome, against electricity price hikes, arrests of government critics and a constitutional reform consolidating Gnassingbe's grip on power. At least seven people have been killed, dozens wounded and more than 60 arrested, according to civil society groups. Amnesty International said it had interviewed victims and witnesses who described a series of abuses by security forces at banned protests in late June. According to witnesses, 'men identified as security forces carried out unlawful killings, arbitrary arrests and detentions, acts of torture and other ill-treatment, and several cases of abduction,' said Marceau Sivieude, the rights group's interim director for west and central Africa. 'These cases must be independently and transparently investigated as a matter of urgency,' he said in a statement. At least six people are still reported missing after the protests, said Amnesty, which also condemned the alleged torture of protesters at another series of demonstrations in early June against Gnassingbe, 59, who took power in 2005 after the death of his father. Authorities said Sunday that two bodies found in a lagoon after the protests were victims of drownings. A lawyer for victims, Darius Atsoo, told the rights group the number of people detained in connection with the protests was unknown. As of Monday, at least 31 were still in custody, he said.
BBC News
30-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Togo protests against Faure Gnassingbé leave seven dead in Lomé
Civic rights groups say at least seven people have been killed during a crackdown on protesters who are calling for Togo's leader, Faure Gnassingbé, to step down and release political say dozens more people were injured - some comes weeks after Gnassingbé - who was president for two decades and whose family has ruled the country for 58 years - was sworn into a new post of President of the Council of Ministers, which has no official term Togolese government has now threatened legal action against the protest organisers, describing the demonstrations as a "campaign of disinformation and hatred" that was orchestrated from abroad. Demonstrations have been banned in the West African country since 2022, with the authorities citing "security reasons".Three days of demonstrations by online activists and youth-led movements began in the capital, Lomé, on Thursday, before taking a violent turn on Friday and gas was fired by anti-riot police at protesters, who pelted them with stones and other determined anti-government protesters engaged security forces in street battles in several areas considered to be opposition strongholds, including Bè, where police chased demonstrators into their hideouts.A coalition of 23 Togolese civil rights groups - known as the "National Platform for Civic Space and Development Effectiveness" - has asked the authorities to carry out investigations into the bloody police condemned what they described as "the use of disproportionate force against peaceful demonstrators", adding that "peaceful protest is a fundamental right, recognized both by the Togolese Constitution and by international instruments ratified by our country".By Sunday calm had returned to most of Lomé, with shops reopened at the main central market at Assigamé and businesses operating as recent change of regime orchestrated by the Togolese leader continues to fuel resentment. In addition to the new post which he can keep for life, constitutional reform in Togo has ended presidential elections, and introduced a parliamentary month's arrest and psychiatric detention of the Togolese rapper Narcisse Essowè Tchalla, also known as Aamron, acted as a catalyst for public outrage, culminating in over 50 arrests during protests earlier this month. Though most have been released, at least three people remain in custody. You may also be interested in: New post for Togo leader could see him rule for lifeKenya protests are 'coup attempt', says ministerDisbelief as Nigeria urges prayer to end food shortages Go to for more news from the African us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
