Togo CNCC Convoy Blocked Tsévié: Security Forces Obstruct Political Meeting

• A convoy of the Cadre national de concertation pour le changement (CNCC) was blocked by security forces near Tsévié on November 8, despite having official authorization for their meeting.
• Police and gendarmes detained a delegation and an activist, and confiscated phones, without providing any official justification for their actions.
• The incident followed a six-week administrative struggle, including multiple postponements and venue disputes, for the CNCC to secure permission for their gathering.
• The CNCC opposes the Togo constitutional reform 2024, which shifted the country to a parliamentary system, viewing it as an attempt to prolong the current leadership's power.
• This Tsévié political meeting obstruction is part of a pattern of interference with opposition activities, raising concerns about Togo freedom of assembly.

The repeated interference with permitted political gatherings, such as the Tsévié political meeting obstruction, directly contradicts statements made by the President of the Council of Ministers, who has publicly affirmed the country's need for a robust opposition.

The Cadre national de concertation pour le changement (CNCC) experienced significant obstruction on November 8, when a convoy transporting its leaders to a planned political gathering near Tsévié was halted by security forces. Despite receiving authorization from the local mayor's office and having informed the relevant ministry, police and gendarmes intercepted the CNCC convoy on National Road N°1 at Adétikopé, situated before the Davié toll booth. This blockade, which lasted for over ninety minutes, occurred without any official justification from the authorities present.

During the incident, mobile phones belonging to members of the convoy were confiscated. Furthermore, a delegation traveling from Dalavé, led by municipal councilor Emmanuel Avognon, was taken into custody at the Tsévié gendarmerie. Activist Nadia Touré also faced detention in connection with the event. The road was further disrupted by an accident involving a vehicle reportedly belonging to a local elected official from the ruling party, according to information gathered at the scene. These detained individuals were only released following a concerted mobilization by their fellow activists. Professor David Dosseh, who attempted to join the group, was consequently unable to attend the scheduled meeting.

The November 8 roadblock was the culmination of a protracted six-week administrative battle for the CNCC to hold its gathering. Initially slated for September 27, the event was postponed after the Ministry of Territorial Administration demanded a certificate confirming the availability of the proposed venue. When the meeting was subsequently rescheduled for October 25, it faced another setback: a letter from the mayor of Zio 1 declared the site already occupied. However, organizers maintained that a bailiff had previously verified the location was indeed vacant.

It was not until November 4 that the mayor's office finally confirmed the site's availability, clearing the way for the November 8 event. This series of bureaucratic obstacles underscores the challenges faced by opposition groups in Togo, even when attempting to comply with all official requirements. The authorities have yet to provide any explanation for the road blockages or the detentions that occurred, maintaining a notable silence on the matter.

This incident, where the Togo CNCC convoy was blocked near Tsévié, highlights a recurring pattern of obstruction against opposition activities, echoing similar difficulties encountered during a prior meeting in Vogan. The Cadre national de concertation pour le changement, comprising groups such as ANC, FDR, ADDI, and PSR, convened the November 8 meeting under the banner "No to permanent coup, yes to the restoration of C92." Their primary objective is to challenge the Togo constitutional reform 2024, which has transitioned the nation from a presidential to a parliamentary system.

The CNCC views this constitutional amendment as a mechanism designed to extend the tenure of the current leadership. The speakers at the successful, albeit delayed, meeting—including Jean-Pierre Fabre, Me Dodji Apévon, Professor Wolou, and Benjamin Amouzouvi—also addressed the ECOWAS Court of Justice ruling and critical issues like water shortages in Tsévié. The repeated interference with permitted political gatherings, such as the Tsévié political meeting obstruction, directly contradicts statements made by the President of the Council of Ministers, who has publicly affirmed the country's need for a robust opposition. Such actions, involving the impediment of movement, confiscation of property, and detention of delegates, suggest that the opposition is merely tolerated rather than genuinely empowered as a counter-balance to power, raising serious questions about Togo freedom of assembly.

This incident highlights the practical risks to freedom of assembly and expression in Togo, even when official permits are secured. Lawyers advising clients on public gatherings or political activities must consider the potential for arbitrary state interference and lack of accountability, necessitating robust documentation and strategic planning beyond mere permit acquisition.

Source: Original reporting via local Togolese media.