Members of Togo’s opposition party on Thursday demonstrated across the country for the second day running as they continue to demand an end to the Gnassingbe dynasty and a change in the country’s constitution.
The government has also blocked access to the internet like it did on Wednesday as part of moves to limit the impact of these protests.
Restrictions to the internet and some social media platforms have intensified with some users complaining about the speed of the internet and difficulties in accessing some social media platforms.
A government spokesperson Gilbert Bawara defended the shutdown of the internet saying “Even in most developed countries, authorities take control of telecommunications in some cases.”
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.
But protesters say the bill is an attempt to prolong the reign of the current President further. Previous protests last month resulted in deaths and arrests.
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
