The President of Togo, Faure Gnassingbe has spoken about the ongoing opposition protests in his country demanding his exit from power and an end to the Gnassingbe dynasty.
He claimed during a visit to the Temedja military camp, north of Lome on Friday that “Togo is currently disrupted by demonstrations, which, far from being peaceful as permitted by law, have often been extremely violent.”
“Those who organise these events bear the heavy responsibility for the victims and the damage they caused,” he said in a speech broadcast on national television.
Mr. Gnassingbe has said that the violence that has characterized the protests resulting in the death of at least 16 people was caused by the opposition.
On Monday the government announced plans to hold talks with opposition protesters, months after series of protests.
Industry and tourism minister Yaovi Attigbe Ihou said the government is “taking the necessary measures for the opening of a dialogue in Lome with all of Togo’s political class”.
ECOWAS leaders have also urged the two parties to end the violence and talk about the crisis.
Over 500 Togolese have fled violence to Ghana following a crackdown by Togo’s government in response to the protests.
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.
Source: Africafeeds.com
