2005 Togo protests and riots
2005 Togolese protests | |
---|---|
Date | 25 February 2005 – 29 April 2005 |
Location | |
Caused by |
|
Goals |
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Methods | Riots |
Resulted in | |
Casualties | |
Death(s) | ~400-500 |
The 2005 Togo protests and riots were demonstrations and rioting against the results of the presidential election and
Background
Togolese President
Tensions
Gnassingbé lifted the government's ban on protests on 18 February and announced that there would be a presidential election in 60 days.[3] Opposition groups called on Gnassingbé to step down and held large protests in Lomé, Aného, Sokodé and Sinkanse.[5] On 25 February, Gnassingbé, citing growing domestic and international pressure, announced he would resign as president, resulting in ECOWAS lifting sanctions.[6] Opposition supporters objected to the appointment of Bonfoh Abass as interim president instead of Fambaré Ouattara Natchaba, accusing Abass of being too close to the Gnassingbé regime.[7]
Violence and Protests
The United Nations estimated that between 400 and 500 people were killed in electoral violence and mass riots.[8] In May 2017, around 35,000 Togolese citizens fled to Benin and Ghana, citing abductions and
Casualties
The number of casualties is unclear but unofficial results and tallies are being reported. The United Nations and Amnesty International have said that the military killed 150 protesters and the security forces and police killed 400 protesters. Government officials report that there are 22 deaths but opposition figures suggested there were 150-200 deaths. It is still unclear to this day about the casualties.
Aftermath
Protesters have been describing the fear they've been living in for years and years after, protests started to protest. Anger is still growing on the streets. As of now, an investigation into the violence in Togo has been put in place and protests are banned.
See also
- 1992 Togolese constitutional referendum
- Gnassingbe Eyadema
- 2005 Togolese presidential election
References
- ^ a b Togo: Will History Repeat Itself? (Report). Amnesty International. 19 July 2005.
- ^ "Togo succession 'coup' denounced". BBC. 6 February 2005. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
- ^ a b Polgreen, Lydia (19 February 2005). "Togo President, Installed by Army, Agrees to an Election". The New York Times. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
- ^ Mealer, Brian (13 February 2005). "Mass Protests Against Togo's President Turn Violent". The Washington Post. AP. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
- ^ "Massive opposition protest in Lome, Togo". GhanaWeb. 19 February 2005. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
- ^ "Mounting pressure prompts Togo president to resign". NBC News. 25 February 2005. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
- ^ "Togo police clash with protesters". BBC. 27 February 2005. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
- Independent Online. AFP. 26 September 2005. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
- afrol News. 27 May 2005. Retrieved 7 January 2018.