Thursday, September 07, 2017

Faure must go in Togo

Tens of thousands of people have marched through the streets of Togo's capital, Lomé, protesting against President Faure Gnassingbé. Amnesty International estimated that 100,000 people marched in Lome, many wearing the red, orange and pink colours of opposition parties as they chanted "Free Togo".
They want Mr Gnassingbé, who has been in power since 2005, to step down. He became president after the death of his father, Gnassingbé Eyadema, who had been at the helm for 38 years. Protesters are calling for the end of the "Gnassingbé dynasty".
A government concession to introduce a two-term presidential limit through a constitutional amendment failed to dissuade the protesters. The protesters see it as part of a ploy to extend Mr Gnassingbé's rule.
Internet and access to social media was limited. Government spokesperson Gilbert Bawara told a local radio station that there was an ongoing internet restriction. "Even in most developed countries, authorities take control of telecommunications in some cases," he said.

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