Saturday, June 16, 2012

Togo Clashes Leave 40 People Injured

Togo clashes continue for third day with 40 people injured

Security forces fired tear gas as they clashed with anti-government protesters in Lome, Togo

Thu Jun 14, 2012 1:23PM GMT
presstv.ir

Police have clashed with thousands of angry demonstrators in Togo’s capital city, Lome, in the third day of protests against electoral reforms.

On Thursday, violent clashes between security forces and demonstrators continued in Lome, during which stones were thrown and tear gas was fired.

Some 40 people have been injured during the three-day unrest, which began earlier in the week ahead of forthcoming parliamentary elections.

Protesters backing the 'Save Togo' movement want an end to the system allowing unlimited presidential terms.

They say recent electoral reforms favor President Faure Gnassingbe's ruling party.

Demonstrators want a return to the Togo 1992 constitution which limits the mandate of a sitting head of state to two terms.

Legislative polls are expected to be held in October but no precise date has been set.

The small West African nation has been run by the same family for more than four decades. Gnassingbe has been in power since 2005 after the death of his father, the country's former President.

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