Togo restores internet connectivity after 6-day blackout

Authorities in Togo have restored internet connectivity almost a week after it was cut. Mobile data was cut on September 5, hours to a planned opposition protest against a 50-year-old ruling dynasty.

The government made it a total blackout after truncating Wi-Fi access the following day as the protests kicked off. The opposition in the West African country are demanding that the president steps down.

An activist, Farida Nabourema, confirmed the restoration of connection as at Sunday (September 10). “The government of Togo has just restored internet services. It was a 6 days blackout and it took advantage of it to repress us massively,” she said. Other internet users corroborated the account.

The internet is BACK in Togo after 6 days! accessnow dejiridoo enamara tell cinalawson MPEN_Togo & GilbertBAWARA to #KeepItOn !!! pic.twitter.com/aRRjh2rVF3

— Emmanuel Vitus (@emmavitus) September 10, 2017

A two day protest last week extended into a third day when opposition activists took to the streets of the capital Lome and other major towns. Aside demands that Faure Gnassingbe steps down, they are calling for wide political reforms.

Among others, the revision of the 1992 Constitution which was modified in 2002 allowing Faure to run for an unlimited term.

The opposition says they want the original two five-year term limit to be restored, a two-ballot system, reform of the Constitutional Court and the Electoral Commission.

Faure Gnassingbe has been in power for 12 years now. His current mandate secured in 2015 runs till 2020. He took over after his father Gnassingbe Eyadema died having ruled Togo for 38 years.