Opposition parties and civil society groups in Togo have called for an international inquiry following the deaths of seven people during anti-government protests in the capital, Lomé.
Campaigners claimed on Sunday that seven bodies were recovered from waterways in the city, condemning what they described as “abuses committed by elements of the security forces and militias” during the demonstrations.
Authorities have yet to confirm the number of bodies found, instead criticising what they called “unfortunate attempts at exploitation” and attributing the deaths to drowning.
The coalition known as Don’t Touch My Constitution, which brings together opposition groups and civil society organisations, demanded “an international investigation into the crimes committed over three days of repression.”
“Whenever there is repression resulting in deaths and serious injuries, the regime promises investigations,” said Nathaniel Olympio, a spokesperson for the coalition, at a press conference.
“But we never receive the outcomes of these inquiries. The responsible parties are never identified, nor are the circumstances of the deaths made clear.
He explained that the aim is to understand what happened and hold those accountable, to prevent such incidents from recurring.
Approximately a quarter of Togo’s population is Catholic, and the nation’s conference of bishops also condemned what it called “unacceptable and unbearable acts of violence.”
Protests in Togo have been infrequent in recent years, but the recent unrest marked the second wave of demonstrations this month. These were sparked by arrests of government critics, electricity price increases, and constitutional reforms that have strengthened President Faure Gnassingbé’s grip on power.
Authorities reported around 50 arrests on 5 and 6 June. From Thursday to Saturday, protesters across Lomé’s neighbourhoods were dispersed with tear gas. Another protest has been called for Tuesday.
Last week, Gilbert Bawara, Togo’s minister for public service reform, labour, and social dialogue, accused protesters of having a “manifest intention to sow disorder and chaos.” Gnassingbé has been in power since 2005.
The Don’t Touch My Constitution coalition has urged opposition parties to boycott the municipal elections scheduled for 17 July, describing the vote as a “mock election.”
