The government of Togo has announced plans to hold talks with opposition protesters demanding an end to the Gnassingbe dynasty which has lasted for 50 years.
The announcement was made on Monday months after series of protests which have resulted in clashes, arrests and deaths.
Industry and tourism minister Yaovi Attigbe Ihou is reported by the AFP as saying that the government is “taking the necessary measures for the opening of a dialogue in Lome with all of Togo’s political class”.
He said in a statement read on national television that the measures being taken “will lead the political parties concerned to act with the greatest restraint and responsibility and to work for the national interest by the safeguarding of peace and national cohesion”.
Over 500 Togolese have fled violence to Ghana following a crackdown by Togo’s government in response to the protests demanding the exit of President Faure Gnassingbe.
Faure Gnassingbe took over from his father Eyadema 12 years ago after he died while in power for 38 years.
He has since won elections in 2005, 2010 and 2015 but got the two-term limit for presidents scrapped a year ago to allow him to further prolong his rule.
More protests are planned for this week in the capital, Lome, and parts of the country with the government saying it wanted to find a “credible and durable solution to the question of political reforms”.
It now wants to “take the necessary measures to release 42 people arrested, tried and found guilty by various courts over recent violent demonstrations”.
Source: Africafeeds.com
