Opposition parties and civil society groups in Togo have issued a joint call for President Faure Gnassingbé to relinquish power, intensifying political tensions in the West African nation. The demand comes on the heels of youth-led protests and growing frustration over recent constitutional reforms that critics say cement Gnassingbé’s grip on power.
In a statement delivered at a press conference in Lomé on Thursday, the National Alliance for Change (ANC), Democratic Forces for the Republic (FDR), and a coalition of civil society organisations declared the current administration “illegitimate.” They accused the president of committing “high treason” by enacting a new constitution without a referendum, public consultation, or national consensus.
Gnassingbé has ruled Togo since 2005, following the death of his father, Gnassingbé Eyadéma, who had held power for nearly four decades. Earlier this year, the younger Gnassingbé oversaw the transition to a parliamentary system that allows him to remain at the helm of government indefinitely — a move that has sparked outrage among many Togolese citizens.
“This is only the beginning of the Togolese people’s exasperation,” said David Dosseh, spokesperson for “Togo Citizens Stand Up,” a prominent civic coalition. “The wall of fear is starting to crack. The youth is waking up.”
The opposition has called for nationwide acts of civil disobedience beginning June 23, aiming to disrupt what they describe as an authoritarian regime. The call follows violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces from June 5 to 6, when dozens of protesters were dispersed with tear gas in Lomé, including areas near the presidential palace. Over 50 individuals were arrested, with some still in extended police custody.
Protests have been officially banned in Togo since a deadly attack at Lomé’s main market in 2022, although public meetings remain permitted.
Responding to the growing unrest, Minister of Public Service Reform Gilbert Bawara defended the reforms, saying they reflect Togo’s “historical journey” and are intended to enhance “national unity and cohesion.”
As discontent swells, Togo may be headed for a period of heightened confrontation between an increasingly vocal opposition and a government determined to maintain control.
