Description: Clashes between police forces and demonstrators turned violent with the army dispatching hardware on the streets of Togo’s capital, Lome. Protesters called for the President Faure Gnassingbe’s resignation following his initiative to bend the country’s Constitution which would effectively enable Gnassingbe to remain in power indefinitely. The opposition group called Hands of my Constitution organized peaceful demonstrations last month which resulted in massive arrests of more than a hundred people opposing Gnassingbe’s rule. Gnassingbe rules Togo since 2005 when he inherited the position from his father, establishing a political dynasty in the country.
Impact: Togo’s protests follow a destabilization trend all across the African continent which has seen recent upsurge in terrorist activities and overthrowing of governments. The protests would significantly impact the country’s fragile internal stability as civil movements tackle the government’s unconstitutional rule. The internal destabilization in Togo would impact the general security state of the African continent which plagued by civil wars, cross border conflicts, governments led by military juntas and terrorist attacks.