Togo Protests

Over the past few weeks, hundreds of people have taken to the streets of Togo, calling for the resignation of President Faure Gnassingbe. These demonstrations have been taking place across the country since August. Opposition leaders had been hoping to force the government to initiate reforms. In 1992, former president Gnassingbe Eyadema, actually did introduce a new law which limited the presidential term to two electoral periods. He however rescinded it 10 years later, in order to stay in power until his death in 2005 when he was succeeded by his son. Last week, the cabinet passed a draft bill which would amend the constitution and introduce presidential term limits. But the opposition is buying none of it, accusing the government of not acting in good faith. To look at this and other related isues, we are joined on the line by:

Liesl Louw-Vaudran: Senior Research Consultant |Peace and Security Research Programme: Institute for Security Studies, Pretoria

Mathias Hounkpe: Senior Researcher: Open Society Initiative For West

Steven Gruzd: Senior Researcher: South African Institute of International Affairs