Togo’s capital, Lomé, has seen a wave of youth-led protests since June, with thousands demanding change after decades of rule by the Gnassingbé family. Elom, a 23-year-old university student, summed up the frustration felt by many: “We are tired of this regime… We, the youth, have no hope left.”
Why are Togo’s young people protesting?
Sixty percent of Togo’s population is under 25, and many are grappling with unemployment, poverty, and a political system that feels immovable. President Faure Gnassingbé has been in power since 2005, following the death of his father, who ruled for 38 years. That’s over half a century of one family dominating national leadership.
“We, the youth, suffer in this country. We are hungry,” said 26-year-old protester Anie. Official figures show that 43% of Togo’s eight million people live in poverty, and a third are considering emigration, according to Afrobarometer. Public anger has also been fueled by rising electricity prices, joblessness, and a 2024 constitutional reform seen as a power grab.
What triggered the latest wave of demonstrations?
The arrest of rapper Aamron in late May was the flashpoint. He had posted an ironic message about celebrating the president’s birthday, which led to his brief detention in a psychiatric hospital. The incident ignited protests on June 5, driven by youth who organized through social media.
By late June, the demonstrations had intensified. Seven people died during the second wave of protests, according to civil society groups, with police blamed for the deaths. Four of the victims, aged between 15 and 25, were found drowned near protest sites. Prosecutors are investigating the fatalities.
How is the government responding?
Authorities have labeled the protests as attempts to destabilize the country. “Inviting people to engage in gratuitous violence is terrorism,” said Colonel Hodabalo Awate, the Minister of Territorial Administration. International arrest warrants have been issued for exiled critics, including investigative journalist Ferdinand Ayité. “Wherever they live, we will go and get them,” vowed Security Minister Colonel Calixte Madjoulba.
Still, the protests show no signs of slowing. “I’ll be back in the streets on July 16 and 17—the fight continues,” said Yannick, a 36-year-old chauffeur. This new wave of activism is being led by a generation not aligned with traditional opposition parties. According to political analyst Mohamed Madi Djabakate, “The insurrection is led by a generation… seeking to create its own form of protest, with its codes, language and modes of action.”
Despite government claims that employment pathways exist, the World Bank estimates that Togo needs to create at least one million jobs by 2030 to meet the demands of its youth, a challenge the current regime has yet to fully address.
By Lucky Anyanje
