The Government of Togo has attributed the recent unrest in the country to a deliberate effort by certain individuals and groups aimed at sowing discord and destabilising national cohesion.
In a press statement issued on Sunday, June 29, the Togolese presidency stated that the protests were driven by disinformation and misinformation circulated online.
“Using the manipulation, dissemination of false information and images, sometimes generated by the use of Artificial Intelligence or imported from contexts unrelated to Togo, these people aim clearly to sow trouble, to disrupt the socio-economic life of the country and to destabilise established institutions,” the statement read.
The government accused some political and civil society actors of orchestrating the disturbances, describing them as “troublemakers.”
“Some troublemakers exploited the vulnerability of some young people and ill-intentioned individuals by encouraging them to commit acts of vandalism, destruction of public and private property, violence against people and engage in public order disturbances, including June 26, 27 and 28, 2025, in some neighbourhoods of Lomé,” the presser stated.
According to the government, several individuals have been arrested in connection with the unrest, including foreigners who allegedly entered the country illegally.
The statement emphasised that all those involved in the disturbances will face legal consequences.
“As for the instigators, principals, and the perpetrators of disinformation, intoxication, and manipulation campaigns openly calling for hatred and intolerance, violence, confrontation, and sedition, they are already the subject of legal proceedings. All channels of international criminal cooperation will, for this purpose, be used for their effective translation before the competent courts.”
The statement also addressed the discovery and retrieval of bodies from the 4th Lake in Akodesséwa and the lagoon in Bè on June 26 and 28. It said these incidents sparked speculative narratives, which were debunked by immediate forensic investigations confirming that the deaths were the result of drowning.
The government condemned the chaos and reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the rule of law, fundamental freedoms.
The unrest in Togo reportedly stems from sweeping constitutional reforms critics say are designed to allow President Faure Gnassingbé to remain in power indefinitely. Gnassingbé, who has ruled since 2005 following the death of his father, was reportedly sworn in this May as President of the Council of Ministers, which has no fixed term limit.
