Tensions are rising in Togo after security forces shut down a planned opposition demonstration in the capital, Lome.
The protest, aimed at denouncing a contested constitutional reform, was met with a heavy police presence, forcing its cancellation.
The proposed constitutional changes have sparked outrage among opposition leaders who fear it’s a ploy to extend President Faure Gnassingbe’s rule.
The reform would shift Togo from a presidential to a parliamentary system, potentially allowing Gnassingbe to retain power under a different structure.
The government maintains it’s open to discussion and has postponed upcoming elections by a week, claiming it needs more time for dialogue.
However, street demonstrations remain banned in Togo, hindering the opposition’s ability to mobilize supporters.
Despite the ban, two leading opposition figures, Jean-Pierre Fabre and Paul Dodji Apevon, defied the government by showing up at the planned protest location.
However, faced with a large security force, they were forced to abandon the demonstration.
“Mobilization has been difficult,” lamented Nathaniel Olympio, president of the Parti des Togolais, attributing the low turnout to the government’s heavy-handed tactics.
The opposition remains deeply suspicious of the reforms, viewing them as a backdoor for President Gnassingbe, who has been in power since 2005, following his father’s long-standing rule.
They allege past elections have been marred by fraud, further fueling their distrust.
With the opposition silenced and the government pushing ahead with the reforms, Togo appears on the precipice of further political turmoil.
The international community is likely to closely monitor the situation, urging dialogue and transparency to avert a deeper crisis.
