Togo roads blocked on day 2 of anti-Gnassingbe protests

The second day of anti-government protests in the West African country went ahead as planned as Togolese blocked major roads in the capital, Lome, during protests.

The main opposition had called for two days of protests demanding that incumbent Faure Gnassingbe leave office and end a 50-year dynasty which started with his father Eyadema who ruled for 38 years till his death in 2005.

Thousands of protesters clad in red with Togolese flags heeded to the opposition call that was targeted at three main cities. The Lome protest was one of the biggest grinding parts of the city to a halt.

The president himself has not called for any dialogue despite seeing what is going on in this country. We all know that he has heard our messages that we are sending.

There has been firing of tear gas and clashes with the security agencies in past protests. Nothing of the sort has been recorded over the two days of protest i.e. October 4 – 5.

All the major roads of #Lome capital city of #Togo are blocked by protesters
The protest of anger has started. #Togodebout #fauremustgo pic.twitter.com/IZaiW6AhPH

— Farida Nabourema (@Farida_N) October 5, 2017

Aside calling for Gnassingbe’s resignation, the coalition of 14 parties are also demanding wide ranging constitutional reforms in the electoral and justice system. They are chiefly calling for a return to two-term presidency.

“We can never say no to dialogue. The president himself has not called for any dialogue despite seeing what is going on in this country. We all know that he has heard our messages that we are sending,” Brigitte Adjamgbo, General Secretary of the political party FDC said.

Gnassingbe, now in his third term, dropped the reforms until parliament last month attempted to cap future presidencies to two terms of five years, but the bill did not get enough backing due to an opposition boycott and will be decided upon later.