Security forces in Togo, West Africa, cracked down on mass demonstrations in the capital Lomé on June 26 and 27, 2025, as citizens demanded the resignation of long-time president Faure Gnassingbé. The unrest in Africa, Togo follows controversial constitutional reforms that many critics have labeled a “constitutional coup”, igniting political turmoil and unrest in a nation already grappling with a cost of living crisis.
What Triggered the Protests?
Tensions soared in Togo after Gnassingbé assumed the role of President of the Council of Ministers in May 2025, a powerful new position that lacks term limits. Opposition leaders and civil society groups argue that this move cements a dynastic rule that began in 1967 with Gnassingbé’s father.
Online activists and a citizens' coalition named “Hands Off My Constitution” coordinated the protests to reject this power grab and demand immediate democratic reforms.
How the Protests Unfolded in Lomé
Demonstrators flooded the streets of Lomé, blocking roads, erecting barricades, and burning tires in areas such as Bè, a stronghold of opposition. Security forces responded aggressively, using tear gas, rubber batons, and military vehicles to disperse crowds. Online videos captured disturbing scenes of alleged police brutality, including uniformed officers entering private homes and beating residents.
Many shops and businesses in the capital shut down as a heavy police presence took control of protest hotspots. Activists estimate that more than 100 people were arrested during the crackdown, adding to tensions in a country where public protests have been rare since a 2022 ban on demonstrations.
What Protesters Are Saying
“We’re starving. Nothing is working for the youth of Togo anymore, which is why we are protesting,” said a 30-year-old unemployed man named Osssi.
His frustration echoes the voices of many who see the country’s political system as rigged against its people and youth.
The “Hands Off My Constitution” coalition is also demanding urgent solutions to the economic hardship faced by ordinary citizens, which they argue is being ignored by a government more concerned with power consolidation than poverty alleviation.
Silence and Censorship
The Togolese government has remained largely silent. Hodabalo Awate, Minister of Territorial Administration, has not addressed the public regarding the state’s use of force. Meanwhile, authorities have suspended broadcasts from France 24 and RFI for three months, accusing them of biased reporting, a move seen as a further attempt to silence dissent and restrict press freedom.
Amnesty International confirmed that many protest-related arrests were made earlier in June, though most detainees were later released.
Why the Africa, Togo Crisis Matters
The political unrest in Togo comes amid a larger pattern of democratic backsliding across West Africa, where coups and constitutional overhauls have undermined governance. The resistance seen in Africa, Togo reveals deep-rooted anger over long-standing leadership, economic stagnation, and the fading hope of a democratic future.
As the people of Togo push back against what they see as authoritarian rule, the international community will be watching closely, though so far, few have spoken out decisively.
