LOMÉ, June, 2025. Last weekend, Togolese authorities announced they had thwarted an armed attack attributed to elements affiliated with JNIM (Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims) in Kpekankendi, a locality near the border with Burkina Faso. The operation, praised by several African security analysts, resulted in the neutralization of six attackers, the arrest of three others, and the seizure of weapons and military equipment.
At the same time, protests took place within the Togolese diaspora, notably in Paris, Berlin, and Montreal, under the hashtag “#FreeTogo,” which was widely shared on social media. These demonstrations sparked mixed reactions among the Togolese population, the majority of whom feel they reflect a certain disconnection from local realities.
Citizens in Togo argue that many protesters have lived abroad for many years and are not exposed to the daily challenges facing the country. Some question the legitimacy of criticisms made from abroad, particularly when they are not based on direct knowledge of the situation on the ground.
Some analysts go further, warning against possible external influences that could be encouraging these protest movements at a time considered particularly sensitive in terms of security and geopolitics. “No one is challenging the right to freedom of expression,” said a local sociologist, “but it is fair to ask to what extent one can understand a complex reality from a geographical and cultural distance.”
As Togolese institutions call for calm and national unity, the debate remains open between freedom of expression and collective responsibility. In a region under growing pressure, Togo is now seeking to strike a delicate balance between democratic openness and the preservation of internal stability
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Source: Story.KISSPR.com
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