A child was killed on Wednesday in clashes between security forces and protesters seeking to end incumbent President Faure Gnassingbe rule, according to Amnesty International.
Security Minister Damehame Yark confirmed that a child had been shot dead in Mango, hundreds of kilometres north of the capital Lome, but blamed the PNP opposition party.
President Faure Gnassingbe is facing opposition protestors demanding he step down from office.
“There was a 9-year-old boy killed in Mango by military forces. He was shot in the head,” said Francois Patuel, of Amnesty International, citing local sources including family members.
Tensions are mounting over the President’s tenure and thousands nationwide marched against government reforms announced on Tuesday which they say will allow the Gnassingbe family dynasty to run the West African country until 2030.
According to opposition leader Jean-Pierre Fabre, riots also broke out in the northern city of Bafilo between protesters against Gnassingbe and his supporters, injuring several at the end of a peaceful march in Lome.
Counter-protesters Huge crowd of counter-protestors marching in support of Togo’s incumbent President Faure Gnassingbe, 20 September 2017. Credit” Reuters/Stringer
The former French colony of 8 million people that is home to several large firms, including Ecobank and regional airline ASKY, has a history of violent political repression.
Hundreds were killed in the aftermath of Gnassingbe’s contested election win in 2005. Shortly afterward an electoral victory in 2005, Gnassingbe pledged to re-introduce term limits his father scrapped and align Togo with most of its West African neighbors.
Gnassingbe, now in his third term, dropped the reforms until Parliament this week tried to put a cap on future presidencies to two terms of 5-years. The bill, however, did not get enough backing due to an opposition boycott. It will now be decided by referendum instead.
Togo opposition leader Jean-Pierre Fabre.
In Lome, opposition protesters banged on tam-tams and sang a traditional battle song “Strength to the Great” in the local Ewe language. Others carried a giant banner saying: “People of Togo say No! 50 years is enough!”
“The referendum is not what we want. We are asking for the President to leave,” said 42-year-old Paulin Kossi.
A huge group of counter-protesters flanked by Police escort gathered on a beachside boulevard to show their support for the UNIR ruling party while a motorcycle parade bearing flags of the President snaked through the streets
Residents also complained of internet cuts – a method increasingly used by governments to stifle criticism at sensitive times. Protests both in support for and against the incumbent President are set to resume on Thursday.
A Reuters original report. Further editing by Manyika Review.
