Togo is once again gripped by political tensions as a wave of protests calling for democratic change shakes the capital and major towns across the country. While several media reports describe the demonstrations as sporadic and poorly attended, eyewitness accounts and footage circulating online paint a different picture: a nation silenced by fear and held under the weight of decades-long authoritarian rule.
The latest protests, organized by members of the Togolese diaspora and supported by various opposition figures and civil society groups, are taking place from June 26 to 28. They follow a growing wave of discontent, ignited by the arrest and forced psychiatric internment of activist-rapper Aamron in May — a move that many saw as politically motivated. Aamron’s dramatic release and his powerful public message on June 27 have further galvanized a movement already on edge.
In the streets of Lomé, silence speaks volumes. Markets are shut, businesses are closed, and the city carries the uneasy calm of a public holiday. Many residents, fearing violence, have chosen to stay indoors. Several reports suggest that protesters — and even bystanders — have been violently repressed by security forces and plainclothes militia members operating with state vehicles. The use of force, arbitrary arrests, and attacks on journalists have become routine in recent weeks.
“The streets are empty not because people support the regime, but because no one wants to end up in jail or worse, in the hospital”.
Meanwhile, international media coverage has become increasingly difficult. France 24 and RFI, two of the most followed outlets in the country, have been suspended by the Togolese government for “lack of impartiality.” Independent journalists report being harassed, detained, or forced to delete footage of protests and police violence.
Veteran politician Kofi Yamgnane, leader of the Freedom Togo – MLN, has added his voice to the mobilization. In a recent video address, he stated: “The current regime has no legitimacy. It’s an imposture. An error of history. Togo must rise now, from every village, every city.”
The protests occur against the backdrop of a deepening political crisis, following a controversial constitutional reform last year that transitions the country from a presidential to a parliamentary system — a move widely criticized as a way for President Faure Gnassingbé, in power since 2005, to maintain control beyond term limits.
While the regime insists the reforms are democratic and the protests are unjustified, the widespread frustration within the population is palpable. For many Togolese, hope now lies in their own courage — or the pressure of the international community.
As one protester shouted through a livestream before being chased by police: “We are not afraid anymore. We’ve survived hunger and humiliation. Now, we want freedom.”
