Lome – Togolese authorities clashed with demonstrators in parts of Lome on Friday following two days of massive anti-government protests in the city.
Police used teargas on Friday to disperse protesters, who had staged an overnight sit-in, and in Be, an area known as an opposition stronghold, there were skirmishes between police and residents throughout today.
There was visible damage to some streets in the area and a notable police presence.
In the rest of the cities life went on as usual, but the internet appeared to be blocked for the third day.
“This morning, starting around 6a.m. the police proceeded to supress the protests in Be because during the night people put barricades on the streets,” Jeff Gagba, from LTDH, a rights watchdog, said.
“So, there have been clashes, protesters launched rocks against the teargas of the police, some people have been arrested,” he added.
Gagba said that he was unsure if further protests were planned.
Protesters in the West African nation have been calling for the resignation of long-time leader, Faure Gnassingbe, who has been ruling since 2005.
Gnassingbe’s father led the former French colony for almost four decades beforehand.
This week’s protesters complain of human rights abuses and want changes to the constitution to impose term limits.(Reuters/NAN)