Togo’s Leader Under Pressure to Resign

Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbé is under pressure to step down after rare protests calling for his resignation broke out this month, following constitutional changes that could allow him to stay in power for life, the Associated Press reported.  

On Tuesday, opponents of the president condemned the arrest and alleged mistreatment of demonstrators who participated in the protests in Togo’s capital, Lomé, and on social media. The protests were met with a harsh crackdown. 

Around half of the 80 protesters who were arrested were released late Monday, the newswire reported. However, at least 25 remain in custody, a local rights group said, urging authorities to release the others. 

Public prosecutor Talaka Mawama defended the arrests, calling the protests “part of a revolt against the institutions of the republic.” 

Gnassingbé has ruled Togo since 2005, succeeding his father. He was sworn in last month as the President of the Council of Ministers, a new executive body. In the new post, the highest office in the government’s executive branch, Gnassingbé has more power, no official term limits, and can be re-elected by parliament indefinitely, meaning he could potentially rule for life, the BBC noted. 

Opposition parties called the move a “constitutional coup.” 

“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.” 

Protests are rare in Togo, banned since 2022 after a deadly attack at Lomé’s main market.