The western African country of Togo is restricting access to major social media platforms. This action by authorities follows Thursday’s protests in the capital, Lomé, where hundreds of citizens blocked roads demanding the resignation of long-time leader Faure Gnassingbé.
Social media platforms, including TikTok, Facebook, and Telegram, have been inaccessible for at least the past six hours on Togo’s main internet provider, Yas Togo.
Hundreds of protesters in Lomé erected concrete block barricades in various neighbourhoods, with some setting tires on fire and throwing objects at security forces. Police and soldiers collaborated to disperse and suppress the demonstrations using tear gas, arresting several individuals in the opposition stronghold of Be.
President Gnassingbé has led the country since 2005, a position he ascended to after the death of his father, Gen. Gnassingbé Eyadema. Gen. Eyadema had ruled the country since 1967.
Togo’s action is the second incident this week where an African state has attempted to suppress public communication channels. This past Wednesday, Kenyan authorities restricted access to Telegram on several internet providers, including Safaricom, which has the most subscribers in the country.
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Following protests in over 26 counties across the nation, the Kenyan government, through the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), also ordered all broadcasters to cease live broadcasts of protests. Two major media houses, KTN and NTV, were momentarily taken offline. A high court ruling swiftly suspended the order from CA.
