Togo Police Shut Down Lome, To Prevent Anti-Government.
Security forces and police have shut down Lome, the capital of Togo, in a bid to prevent anti-government demonstrations from taking place for a second consecutive day.
Damehame Yark, the country's security minister, told reporters that at least four people were killed this week as protesters clashed with security forces in the capital and the northern town of Sokode, More than 60 people were arrested across the country.
On Thursday, security forces used tear gas to disperse demonstrators who had put up roadblocks and set tires on fire.
Protesters have held several rallies since August, demanding an end to Togo's 50-year ruling family dynasty. They want to see constitutional reforms introduced, including a two-term limit for presidents.
Amnesty International report, the death toll since August has now risen to eight. Activists say it is at least 13.
There was another set of protests in several cities in early September after the government introduced a draft bill to reform the constitution.
Opposition leaders refused to accept it because it does not retroactively address the issue of the mandate of Gnassingbe, who is actually in his third term of presidency.
They also argue that the proposed bill is not in line with the 2006 Global Political Agreement (GPA), neither the 1992 constitution that guarantee, among others, a two-term presidential limit.
Security forces and police have shut down Lome, the capital of Togo, in a bid to prevent anti-government demonstrations from taking place for a second consecutive day.
Damehame Yark, the country's security minister, told reporters that at least four people were killed this week as protesters clashed with security forces in the capital and the northern town of Sokode, More than 60 people were arrested across the country.
On Thursday, security forces used tear gas to disperse demonstrators who had put up roadblocks and set tires on fire.
Protesters have held several rallies since August, demanding an end to Togo's 50-year ruling family dynasty. They want to see constitutional reforms introduced, including a two-term limit for presidents.
Amnesty International report, the death toll since August has now risen to eight. Activists say it is at least 13.
There was another set of protests in several cities in early September after the government introduced a draft bill to reform the constitution.
Opposition leaders refused to accept it because it does not retroactively address the issue of the mandate of Gnassingbe, who is actually in his third term of presidency.
They also argue that the proposed bill is not in line with the 2006 Global Political Agreement (GPA), neither the 1992 constitution that guarantee, among others, a two-term presidential limit.
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