Togo is on edge as the government denied a permit for opposition protests planned for this week.
The demonstrations are against a recently passed constitutional reform that has stoked political tensions.
Despite the ban, opposition parties vow to go ahead with scaled-down protests on Friday and Saturday.
The National Alliance for Change (ANC) and other groups are demanding the government withdraw the amendment, which empowers the National Assembly to directly elect the president.
The government, however, maintains that the opposition’s application to protest did not comply with regulations and was submitted late.
Minister of Territorial Administration Hodabalo Awate cited these reasons in a letter denying the permit for demonstrations originally planned for three days.
This comes amidst a tense political climate in Togo.
Street demonstrations have been prohibited since 2022 following a violent attack.
Opposition leaders also expressed outrage at the recent disruption of a press conference and call for protests by influential figures being quashed by police.
The response from other opposition parties regarding participation in the reduced protests remains unclear.
