2012–2013 Togolese protests

Political protests in Togo The Togolese protests of 2012–2013 were mass uprisings against the long presidency of Faure Gnassingbé in Togo. Many were killed in the suppression of demonstrations. These protests coincided with the Arab Spring. Movement in 2012–2013 In early June 2012, the Togolese parliament amended the country's electoral code. The opposition criticised these changes, saying they favoured the ruling party.http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/12/togo-demonstrations/index.html Togo security forces clash with opposition over electoral law CNN 13 June 2012 2 January 2018 Thousands of protesters gathered in Lomé on 12–14 June 2012, forcing the city's main market to close. Protesters threw stones and vandalized buildings, and police fired tear gas at them. At least 27 people, including policemen and protesters, were injured during the protests.https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-18439872 Togo rocked by reform protests BBC 14 June 2012 2 January 2018 Hundreds of supporters of the Let's Save Togo campaign protested against the Togolese government on 5 July 2012 in front of the French embassy in Lomé. The police fired tear gas on the protesters again, forcing them to disperse.http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/07/20127614952985252.html Police fire tear gas at 'Save Togo' protest Al Jazeera 5 July 2012 2 January 2018 The opposition held protests on 21–23 August 2012. On the first day, protesters planned to march from Bé to the commercial area Deckon, an area the government prohibited protesters from entering. Togolese authorities fired tear gas on the protesters ten minutes after it started.http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/08/201282115275468353.html Togo police disperse fair vote rally Al Jazeera 21 August 2012 2 January 2018 According to Let's Save Togo, more than 100 people were injured, and more than 125 people were arrested during the rallies. Thousands of opposition supporters participated in peaceful protests on 24–25 August 2012.https://www.modernghana.com/news/413625/thousands-march-against-togolese-government.html Thousands march against Togolese government Modern Ghana 25 August 2012 AFP 2 January 2018 thumb|Isabelle Ameganvi discussing the sex strike with a Voice of America journalist. Thousands of people attended a Let's Save Togo rally in Lomé on 26 August 2012 which encouraged Togolese women to participate in a week-long sex strike to galvanize men ito participation in the opposition movement against Gnassingbé.https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-19389625 Togo women call sex strike against President Gnassingbé BBC 27 August 2012 23 October 2016 Opposition leader Isabelle Ameganvi said this was inspired by the 2003 sex strike of Liberian women led by Ellen Johnson Sirleaf which pushed for peace during the Second Liberian Civil War against Charles Taylor.Kaglan Erick https://edition.cnn.com/2012/08/26/world/africa/togo-sex-strike/index.html Togo opposition vows sex strike amid anti-government protests CNN 26 August 2012 23 October 2016 Protesters gathered in Bé on 28 August 2012 and prepared to march against the government. Before they could start marching, Togolese security forces fired tear gas on them.https://www.modernghana.com/news/414130/togo-authorities-fire-tear-gas-at-latest-protest.html Togo authorities fire tear gas at latest protest Modern Ghana AFP 28 August 2012 2 January 2018 The opposition held organized sit-ins, and the security forces fired tear gas on them on 6 September 2012.Zodzi John https://www.reuters.com/article/us-togo-protests/togo-blocks-internet-as-protesters-march-for-second-day-idUSKCN1BI1UT Togo forces fire tear gas to disperse Gnassingbe opponents Reuters 7 September 2017 3 January 2018 Government response In response to these protests, the government passed another electoral reform in September 2012. Opposition groups boycotted the talks because they believed the proposed term limits would allow Gnassingbé to potentially stay in office until at least 2025.https://www.modernghana.com/news/417627/togo-opposition-rejects-governments-electoral-reform-plans.html Togo opposition rejects government's electoral reform plans Modern Ghana AFP 14 September 2012 2 January 2018 On 15 September 2012, a mob armed with sticks and machetes entered an area where opposition supporters planned to protest. The mob prevented the opposition protest from proceeding and prevented journalists from taking photographs. Several ambassadors from Western countries expressed "deep concern" over the mob violence.https://www.expatica.com/fr/news/country-news/Western-nations-UN-concerned-after-mob-prevents-Togo-demo_355722.html Western nations, UN concerned after mob prevents Togo demo Expatica AFP 19 September 2012 2 January 2018 2 January 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180102212817/https://www.expatica.com/fr/news/country-news/Western-nations-UN-concerned-after-mob-prevents-Togo-demo_355722.html dead Thousands of women wearing red participated in a peaceful march organised by Let's Save Togo on 20 September 2012.http://www.nation.co.ke/news/africa/Several-thousand-women-protest-in-Togos-capital-/1066-1513352-np4bpm/index.html Several thousand women protest in Togo's capital Daily Nation AFP 21 September 2012 2 January 2018 The colour red was chosen to protest the precarious economic situation of women in Togo, as Togolese women traditionally made and sold red garments at the country's markets.http://www.slateafrique.com/100835/togo-femmes-tete-contestation-politique La colère rouge des femmes togolaises 2 May 2013 Slate Afrique French 2 January 2018 24 October 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161024151827/http://www.slateafrique.com/100835/togo-femmes-tete-contestation-politique dead Let's Save Togo held an opposition rally on 5 October 2012, the anniversary of the 1990 demonstration against Eyadéma. Security forces fired tear gas on them, injuring several people.http://www.nation.co.ke/news/africa/Togo-security-forces-fire-teargas-on-opposition-protesters-/1066-1526128-94vuucz/index.html Togo security forces fire teargas on opposition protesters Daily Nation AFP 5 October 2012 3 January 2018 3 January 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180103060440/http://www.nation.co.ke/news/africa/Togo-security-forces-fire-teargas-on-opposition-protesters-/1066-1526128-94vuucz/index.html dead Journalists protest At an opposition protest in Lomé on 10 January 2013, several journalists were reportedly targeted during the protests, and at least four of them were injured.https://cpj.org/2013/01/in-togo-protests-journalists-report-being-targeted.php In Togo protests, journalists report being targeted by police CPJ.org Committee to Protect Journalists 14 January 2013 31 December 2017 In late February 2013, three opposition supporters were charged with involvement in the fires that destroyed two Togolese markets in January 2013.https://www.modernghana.com/news/448768/25/togo-charges-opposition-figures-over-market-fire.html Togo charges opposition figures over market fire Modern Ghana AFP 27 February 2013 3 January 2018 On 12 March 2013, while Jean-Pierre Fabre was being questioned in Lomé, hundreds of his supporters tried to block the building's entrance. The police fired tear gas on them as the protesters threw stones.Ekoue Blame https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/2171123 Police fire tear gas at protesters in Togo Taiwan News 13 March 2013 AP 2 January 2018 2 January 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180102055629/https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/2171123 dead On 14–17 March 2013, Togolese journalists held sit-ins to protest recently adopted media regulations which gave the government authority to shut down news outlets.http://www.rfi.fr/afrique/20130315-togo-sit-protestation-younglove-egbeboua-amavi Au Togo, un sit-in de protestation de journalistes violemment réprimé French Radio France Internationale 15 March 2013 3 January 2018 On the first and last day of these protests, police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.http://www.africareview.com/news/Togo-police-battle-protesting-journalists/979180-1720360-nsuwfiz/index.html Togo police battle protesting journalists Africa Review AFP 14 March 2013 4 January 2018 8 January 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180108175046/http://www.africareview.com/news/Togo-police-battle-protesting-journalists/979180-1720360-nsuwfiz/index.html dead https://cpj.org/2013/03/in-togo-police-attack-journalists-protesting-media.php In Togo, police attack journalists protesting media law CPJ.org Committee to Protect Journalists 3 January 2018 Gnassingbé requested the amendments go through a constitutional review, and Togo's Constitutional Court declared them unconstitutional on 20 March 2013.https://cpj.org/2013/03/in-togo-court-rejects-repressive-press-law-amendme.php In Togo, court rejects repressive press law amendments Committee to Protect Journalists CPJ.org 21 March 2013 3 January 2018 Teachers strike In April 2013, Togolese teachers went on strike to call for higher wages, and students protested in support of their teachers. The government temporarily closed its primary and secondary schools, citing property damage from the student protests. Two students were killed as a result of police efforts to disperse protests on 15 April in Dapaong.Kouton Emile https://www.modernghana.com/news/458672/togo-police-kill-12-year-old-boy-during-crackdown.html Togo police kill 12-year-old boy during crackdown Modern Ghana 15 April 2013 4 January 2018http://www.fiacat.org/press-release-excessive-use-of-force-and-intimidation-in-togo [Press Release] Excessive use of force and intimidation in Togo FIACAT 19 April 2013 4 January 2018 The government re-opened its schools on 22 April, though many teachers continued their strike and told their students to return home.https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2013/04/togo-teachers-boycott-classes-after-deadly-protests/ Togo teachers boycott classes after deadly protests Capital News AFP 23 April 2013 4 January 2018 Étienne Yakanou, one of the opposition leaders detained in connection to the Lomé market fire, died on 10 May 2013. According to the government he died from malaria. The National Alliance for Change (ANC) accused the Togolese government of committing a "political assassination" by deliberately withholding treatment from Yakanou,http://www.rfi.fr/afrique/20130512-sauvons-le-togo-militant-victime-polemique Sauvons le Togo: polémique sur la mort d’un militant Radio France Internationale French 12 May 2013 4 January 2018 and Amnesty International called for an investigation into his death.http://www.anctogo.com/medias/images/contenu/afr570022013eng1.pdf Togo: Excessive use of force and death in custody Amnesty International 15 May 2013 5 January 2018 5 January 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180105031415/http://www.anctogo.com/medias/images/contenu/afr570022013eng1.pdf dead On 18 May 2013, a group of women from Let's Save Togo participated in topless protests inspired by the Ukrainian feminist organization FEMEN.Kibangula Trésor http://www.jeuneafrique.com/170716/politique/togo-des-femmes-s-inspirent-des-femen-pour-d-noncer-le-d-c-s-d-un-opposant/ Togo : des femmes s’inspirent des Femen pour dénoncer le décès d’un opposant French Jeune Afrique 20 May 2013 4 January 2018 The opposition protests delayed the parliamentary election, which were originally scheduled for October 2012, to 25 July 2013.https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-23408183 Q&A: Togo's parliamentary election 24 July 2013 BBC 5 January 2018 Gnassingbé's party won the majority of seats in the election, and the opposition declared that the results were fraudulent.Stein Chris https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/2013/0802/Family-dynasty-in-Togo-tightens-its-grip-with-another-election-win Family dynasty in Togo tightens its grip with another election win Christian Science Monitor 2 August 2013 5 January 2018 See also 2017–2018 Togolese protests Protests against Faure Gnassingbe References Category:2012 in Togo Category:2013 in Togo Category:Protests in Togo