Lomé, Togo – Political unrest is escalating in Togo as public outrage grows over recent constitutional reforms that critics say are designed to keep long-standing President Faure Gnassingbé in power indefinitely. A wave of arrests and reports of police brutality have further inflamed tensions, drawing condemnation from rights activists, civil society groups, and opposition parties.
The government’s crackdown on demonstrators has drawn regional and international concern, with human rights defenders warning that the country is sliding deeper into authoritarianism at a time when West Africa is already grappling with democratic backsliding.
At the center of the crisis is a constitutional change introduced in May, which elevated President Gnassingbé to the position of President of the Council of Ministers—a powerful role that, notably, carries no term limits and is not subject to popular vote. Under the new framework, he can be re-elected by parliament an unlimited number of times, effectively allowing him to rule indefinitely.
Faure Gnassingbé has been in office since 2005, succeeding his father, the late President Gnassingbé Eyadéma, who ruled Togo for 38 years. Combined, the Gnassingbé family has dominated Togolese politics for over half a century—a legacy that opposition leaders argue must come to an end.
The recent reforms have sparked a wave of dissent, most visibly manifested in protests that took place last week in the capital, Lomé, and on social media platforms where calls for President Gnassingbé’s resignation have trended widely. Authorities responded with a harsh crackdown. Dozens of demonstrators were arrested, with many allegedly subjected to physical abuse during detention.
Speaking to The Associated Press, Aimé Adi, Director of Amnesty International’s office in Togo, said: “What we know is that several people were beaten during their arrest.” He urged authorities to respect basic human rights and release those still in custody.
According to a local human rights organization, approximately 80 individuals were detained during the protests. While nearly half were released late Monday, at least 25 people remain in detention as of Wednesday morning. Civil society groups have issued urgent calls for their release and an end to what they describe as an emerging culture of state-sponsored repression.
A coalition of opposition groups operating under the banner “Hands Off My Constitution” issued a strongly worded statement condemning the regime and calling for a return to democratic norms. “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,” the statement read.
Protests in Togo have been rare in recent years, largely due to a ban imposed by the government in 2022 after a deadly attack at the Lomé central market. This restriction on public assembly has stifled civic activism, making the latest round of demonstrations all the more significant. Political analysts view the protests as a sign that frustration with the regime is boiling over, especially among the youth who feel disenfranchised.
Despite growing backlash, the Togolese government remains unapologetic. Public Prosecutor Talaka Mawama defended the recent arrests and insisted the state was merely responding to illegal activities aimed at destabilizing the country. He described the protests as “part of a revolt against the institutions of the Republic.”
However, critics argue that such statements only serve to delegitimize genuine dissent and deepen mistrust between the state and its citizens.
“This is not a revolt—it is a demand for democracy,” said Jean Kissi, a former member of parliament and leading voice in Togo’s opposition movement. “We are not rebelling against the nation; we are standing up for its future.”
Observers say the situation in Togo echoes broader concerns across West Africa, where constitutional manipulation, military coups, and democratic erosion have become alarmingly common. Countries such as Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Niger have experienced military takeovers in recent years, raising fears of instability across the region.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which has often played a mediating role in political crises, has not yet made a public statement on the Togolese developments. However, pressure is expected to mount on the regional bloc to intervene diplomatically to prevent further unrest.
Meanwhile, civil society in Togo is showing signs of renewed energy. Online campaigns under hashtags like #TogoDeservesBetter and #StopTheCoupInDisguise are gaining momentum, amplifying calls for international attention and support for the Togolese people’s demand for political change.
“We are not asking for miracles,” said a young protester interviewed anonymously due to fear of reprisal. “We are asking for the right to choose our leaders and live in a country where power does not stay in the same hands forever.”
The recent events have also drawn reactions from the diaspora, with Togolese communities abroad planning coordinated protests in Paris, Brussels, and Washington, D.C. in the coming weeks to raise awareness about the political crisis.
As the situation unfolds, many are watching closely to see whether President Gnassingbé will respond to public pressure or double down on consolidating power. For now, the streets of Lomé remain tense, and the prospect of sustained civil unrest looms over a country once considered relatively stable.
For a region already on edge, Togo’s deepening crisis is a stark reminder of the fragile state of democracy in West Africa—and the urgent need for leaders to put their people before power.
