Officials in Togo have restricted access to the internet and some social media platforms as opposition party supporters continue with agitations demanding an end to the Gnassingbé dynasty.
Local media reported that some internet users have complained about the speed of the internet and difficulties in accessing some social media platforms.
There have been agitations and protests over the dynasty of the Gnassingbe family with previous protests resulting in deaths and arrests.
Government spokesperson Gilbert Bawara told a local radio station that “Even in most developed countries, authorities take control of telecommunications in some cases.”
According to the AFP news agency mobile internet had been shut down in the capital, Lomé.
Last month a court in the West African nation jailed opposition supporters who participated in a protest calling for an end to the Gnassingbe dynasty.
15 of such protesters belonging to the opposition party, Pan African National Party (PAN) include its Secretary General, Dr. Kossi Sama.
Those convicted will now spend between five and nine months in prison for damaging damaging public property. Despite these actions by the government, protesters are not relenting in their effort to continue with their protests over the Gnassingbe rule.
On Wednesday the government announced in a statement that Togo’s cabinet has adopted a draft bill to modify the constitution and reintroduce presidential term limits.
“This bill to modify the constitution concerns specifically the limitations of mandates and voting procedures,” the government statement said.
President Faure Gnassingbe has been in power in Togo since the death in 2005 of his father, Gnassingbe Eyadema, who had been at the helm for 38 years.
Source: Africafeeds.com
