Fresh calls for street protests have emerged in Togo, as youth-led movements and online activists rally the public for three days (June 26 to 28) of peaceful demonstrations.
The mobilisation, largely organised through social media, is a response to longstanding grievances against President Faure Gnassingbé’s rule, which began in May 2005. Using red-themed profile visuals and evocative posters, Togolese youth, including artists and civil society voices, are urging citizens to take a stand against what they describe as constitutional violations by the regime.
Civil society organisations and opposition parties have expressed moral support for the protests, though many are not directly involved in their organisation. The latest unrest is rooted in the government’s adoption of a new constitution, seen by critics as undermining the 1992 charter and intensifying the political crisis. The recent arrest and psychiatric detention of rapper Aamron acted as a catalyst for public outrage, culminating in over 50 arrests during the 6 June protests. Though most have been released, at least three individuals remain in custody.
As tensions escalate, security measures have been marginally reinforced in the capital, Lomé. The government, in a recent communiqué, reiterated that any call to protest that disrupts public order or incites civil disobedience will be deemed illegal. Despite this warning, organisers continue to push for civic expression, framing the protests as a stand for constitutional integrity and democratic accountability.
