By Franck Digo
The Togolese government has declared last month’s nationwide protests illegal and announced plans to prosecute those behind the demonstrations, including diaspora-based social media influencers.
Minister of Security and Civil Protection Colonel Calixte Madjoulba stated that the instigators and accomplices of these calls to destabilize the institutions of the Republic will be pursued and punished according to the law.
Government officials attributed the unrest to a deliberate effort by certain individuals and groups aimed at sowing discord and destabilizing national cohesion, citing the spread of violent messages filled with vulgar language targeting the country’s leaders. Most of those behind the calls are believed to reside abroad, notably in France.
The government showcased video clips illustrating incitements to violence, circulated on social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and WhatsApp. Authorities condemned attempts to incite public disorder, denounced the misuse of human rights rhetoric, and warned against fake news and disinformation.
The Volta Regional Minister in Ghana, James Gunu, has assured the people of the region that the Regional Security Council is closely monitoring developments in Togo to ensure that violent activities do not affect the region. The Togolese government has taken a firm stance against dissent, signaling a continued crackdown on opposition.