Africans Rising for Justice, Peace & Dignity has called on the government of Togo to respect the will of citizens demanding democratic changes and an end to the nation’s 50-year ruling dynasty.
Tensions are running high in Togo after thousands of demonstrators took to the streets on Saturday, August 19. At least two protestors were killed and 13 others wounded when security forces broke up the demonstrations by force.
“We stand in solidarity with our sisters and brothers in Togo and call on President Faure Gnassing, to immediately re-instate the 1992 Constitution and, respect the term limits for the Presidency.” said, Africans Rising, Founding Chair, Kumi Naidoo
The mass protests – which were organized by the opposition Pan-African National Party (PNP) in the capital Lomé and a number of Togolese cities as well as Accra, Libreville, New York and Berlin – were intended to demand the reinstatement of the 1992 constitution, imposing presidential term limits.
President Faure Gnassing be has been in power since 2005, following the death of his father Ghassing be Eyadema, who had ruled for 38 years.
Said Africans Rising Coordinator Comrade Muhammad Lamin Saidykhan, “It is a fundamental human right to convene peaceful assemblies and, government security forces must exercise restraint and tolerance in their actions’.
The Africans Rising founding charter, the Kilimanjaro Declaration, supports open governance, where all enjoy the fruits of democracy equally. We unequivocally support and pledge solidarity with activists struggles for open and accountable government and an end to corruption and restrictions on fundamental freedoms in Togo.
Africans Rising urges the Togolese government to use these protests as an enabling environment for dialogue, to build peace and restore our faith in open democratic governance on the African continent.
In Solidarity
Lamin, Kumi & the team
Africans Rising for Justice, Peace & Dignity
#AfricansRising Cooperation, Solidarity, Working together to build the #AfricaWeWant
