Togo: Continued opposition protests September 12, 15 /update 7

Event

The opposition coalition in Togo has called for protests to take place in the capital Lomé on Tuesday, September 12, and Friday, September 15. The September 12 protest will take place in front of the National Assembly, which is set to hold a special session but will not discuss opposition agenda issues such as constitutional amendments regarding presidential and parliamentary term limits or a two-round election system. An opposition rally is also scheduled to take place in Lomé on September 15 at Saint Joseph Middle School. However, the government warned that these two gatherings were illegal, as the law requires the filling of an application for prior authorization five days before any such event. As such, increased security measures are likely throughout Lomé and clashes with security forces cannot be ruled out. Traffic disruptions around the vicinity of these events are also expected.

Context

Security forces fired tear gas at thousands of protesters conducting a late-night sit-in at an intersection in Lomé on September 7; at least 80 people were arrested following an opposition protest on the same date. Previously, an estimated 100,000 people participated in nationwide opposition protests on September 6. The protests were organized by various opposition groups, including the Pan-African National Party (PNP), the Combat pour l'Alternance Politique en 2015 (CAP 2015), and the Groupe des Six. These protests occurred despite a government-imposed restriction of internet access and mobile data on September 5 that was eventually restored on September 10. 

Last month, thousands of PNP supporters demonstrated in Lomé on August 19 and 20. Clashes between protesters and security forces, who fired tear gas to disperse the crowds, resulted in two deaths, 77 people injured, and 250 more arrested. Following a press conference on August 22, the PNP and the CAP 2015 coalition announced they would combine their efforts to better lobby for their demanded political reforms. On August 25, a general strike in tribute to the victims of the August 19-20 protests was widely observed in Lomé.

Opposition parties demand, among other things, the immediate and unconditional release of those arrested during the August 19-20 protests, the immediate cessation of prosecutions and violence against PNP activists and leaders, and the establishment of an independent international commission to investigate violent incidents at the last protest.

PNP leaders also regularly organize demonstrations to demand institutional reforms promised by the president during the 2015 electoral campaign, including amendments to the constitutional provisions on presidential term limits as well as the implementation of a two-round election system and a restructuring of constitutional and electoral courts. Faure Gnassingbé has been the president of Togo since 2005 and, despite opposition objections, ran for re-election in 2015, defeating opposition candidate and CAP 2015 leader Jean-Pierre Fabre.

Advice

Individuals present in Togo, particularly in Lomé, are advised to monitor developments to the situation and avoid all demonstrations as violence may flare up without warning.