Tensions flared in Togo’s capital this week as soldiers and police used tear gas and batons to disperse hundreds of protesters demanding the resignation of longtime leader Faure Gnassingbé. The unrest, which began Wednesday, continued into Thursday with makeshift barricades, burning tires, and a heavy security presence across Lomé.

The demonstrations were sparked by Gnassingbé’s recent appointment as President of the Council of Ministers, a powerful role with no term limits, which opposition parties have denounced as a “constitutional coup” designed to extend his rule indefinitely.

Protesters blocked major roads in neighborhoods such as Bè, Bè Kpota, and Adakpamé, prompting security forces to respond with force. Witnesses reported the presence of militiamen in unmarked vehicles, some armed with rifles and batons.

“The city is unusually quiet,” one resident told RFI, noting that shops remained shuttered, markets were closed, and traffic was minimal as clashes continued into the afternoon.

In the suburbs, demonstrators set fire to wooden furniture and tires, sending plumes of black smoke into the sky. “We’re hungry. Nothing works for Togolese youth anymore,” said Kossi Albert, a 30-year-old unemployed man who vowed to return to the streets Friday.

The protests were organized by bloggers, civil society groups, and online activists, who called for three days of peaceful demonstrations from June 26–28. The movement has gained momentum despite a nationwide protest ban in place since 2022.

Earlier this month, authorities arrested dozens during similar protests, many of whom were later released. Rights group Amnesty International has condemned the crackdown as part of a broader campaign against dissent and amid a worsening cost-of-living crisis.

A coalition of political groups known as “Hands Off My Constitution” issued a statement urging Gnassingbé to release political prisoners and take urgent steps to restore purchasing power for ordinary citizens.

The government has yet to comment on the latest wave of protests. Hodabalo Awate, Minister of Territorial Administration, did not respond to media inquiries regarding the security forces’ conduct.

In a move widely criticized by press freedom advocates, Togo’s authorities last week suspended broadcasts of RFI and France 24 for three months, accusing them of bias. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) called the decision a “serious attack on press freedom”.

Gnassingbé has ruled Togo since 2005, following the death of his father, Gnassingbé Eyadéma, who had held power since 1967. The family’s nearly six-decade rule has drawn increasing scrutiny in a region plagued by coups and democratic backsliding.

As protests continue, observers warn that the government’s response could further inflame tensions. With elections looming and public frustration mounting, Togo faces a critical test of its democratic institutions and civil liberties.

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