Recent coverage in The Guardian and other international outlets regarding the events in Togo has presented a distorted picture of the country’s political and social climate. As the official spokesperson for the Togolese government, I feel compelled to respond with clarity, facts, and a firm commitment to the truth.
The Rule of Law, Not Repression
The issuance of international arrest warrants against individuals associated with the so-called “M66 Movement” is not a political witch-hunt. These individuals are accused of organizing and inciting violent protests that endangered lives, disrupted public order, and attempted to destabilize our institutions from abroad. They are not political opponents engaging in peaceful dissent. They are anonymous actors operating through encrypted digital platforms, manipulating young citizens with false narratives and calling for unlawful uprisings.
Every democracy, whether in the West or in Africa, has a duty to maintain internal order and protect citizens from incitement and violence. Togo is no different.
Incitement Is Not Free Speech
When Colonel Hodabalo Awaté, Minister of Territorial Administration, referred to some protest calls as “acts of sabotage” and likened them to terrorism, he was emphasizing the gravity of using social media platforms to call for violent unrest. Peaceful protest is protected in Togo. But calling on citizens to block roads, burn public buildings, and forcibly “overthrow” a constitutional government crosses the line into dangerous illegality.
Togo Is Not at War With Its Youth
Claims that the Togolese government refuses dialogue with its youth are patently false. Numerous youth forums, civil society consultations, and participatory processes have taken place over the past year alone. But dialogue must occur with recognized, transparent actors, not with faceless avatars operating anonymous accounts from abroad.
The government remains open to discussion with all law-abiding groups. What it will not do is legitimize clandestine networks whose sole purpose is to undermine the Republic.
On the Arrest of Bertin Bandiangou
Allegations of torture or mistreatment following the arrest of Mr. Bertin Bandiangou are taken seriously. The Togolese National Commission on Human Rights has been informed, and an internal inquiry is underway. However, it must be stated that no credible evidence, medical or legal, has yet been submitted. The government does not condone, support, or excuse abuse by law enforcement.
The Case of Marguerite Gnakadé
Ms. Gnakadé, the former Minister of the Armed Forces, remains a respected citizen. She is not under arrest, nor has she been silenced. She is free to speak and act politically under
the law. Her decision not to form a political party is her own. Conspiratorial suggestions that she is being politically persecuted are both baseless and unfair.
“Pyramide” and the Politics of Mourning
Civil society groups, including those organizing commemorative events such as the four-day mourning campaign announced by “Pyramide,” are allowed to operate in Togo. However, events that incite division or are used as veiled calls for insurrection will be met with the necessary legal measures. The protection of national unity and human life is paramount.
UN Security Council Involvement?
Some opposition voices have declared their intent to take the matter of the protests to the UN Security Council. Such gestures may gain media attention, but they are theatrics, disconnected from diplomatic norms. Togo remains a stable member of the international community, engaged in cooperative relations across Africa, Europe, and beyond. No credible international organization has accused the government of systematic repression.
Economic Context and Regional Stability
A recent dip in new business registrations, 3 percent lower than in 2024, is being sensationalized. In truth, the Togolese economy remains one of the most resilient in West Africa. Inflation is contained, foreign direct investment is growing, and regional partnerships continue to thrive. China’s investment in Ghana’s Aflao region is not a threat to Togo but a sign of a vibrant, interconnected West Africa. We welcome it.
Closing Words
Togo is not a dictatorship. It is a sovereign democracy navigating complex global and domestic realities. It is a country that allows dissent, fosters civil society, and maintains order not through repression, but through law.
The M66 network seeks to sow chaos and hide behind slogans of justice. But real justice cannot be built on lies, nor can real democracy flourish through anonymous mobs calling for destruction.
We urge the international community, and particularly the global press, to engage with Togo fairly, not through the lens of outdated tropes about African governance, but through honest inquiry, respect for sovereignty, and a commitment to balance.
The Togolese people deserve no less.
Further reading:
● The Guardian recently reported on the arrest of rapper Aamron, which ignited waves of youth-led protests against the ruling dynasty. His case has come to symbolize growing frustration with perceived state overreach and the government’s constitutional reforms (read article).
Website of Source: https://www.theguardian.com/
Source: Story.KISSPR.com
Release ID: 1654513