|
Tensions in Togo as anti-Gnassingbe rally turns deadly
[Al Jazeera] Tensions have erupted in Togo after protests against the ruling Gnassingbe family dynasty over the weekend turned deadly. Two protesters were killed and 12 gendarmes were maimed in Sokode, 338km north of the capital, Lome, when security forces opened fire to break up demonstrations, the security ministry said on Saturday. Tikpi Atchadam, Togo's opposition leader and president of the PNP party, put the corpse count at seven on Saturday night. President Faure Gnassingbe has been in power in the West African country since the 2005 death of his father, Gnassingbe Eyadema, who had been at the helm for 38 years. Chanting "50 years is too long!", thousands erupted into the streets of Lome on Saturday calling for the reinstatement of the constitution limiting terms. Security forces fired tear gas to disperse them. "We believe this is it," human rights ...which are usually entirely different from personal liberty... activist Farida Nabourema told Al Jazeera on Sunday, adding that Togo was at a turning point.. "This is the time that this country that has been ruled by the oldest military regime in Africa decided to rise for its freedom." Posted by: Fred 2017-08-22 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=495538 |