Security forces used tear gas to disperse hundreds of protesters who blocked roads in Togo’s capital to demand the resignation of longtime leader Faure Gnassingbe. Hundreds of protesters set up concrete block barricades on Thursday in several neighbourhoods of Lome, with some burning tyres and throwing projectiles at security forces. Police dispersed dozens of the protesters with tear gas and arrested several people in the Be neighbourhood, an opposition stronghold. The protests come as Gnassingbe faces increasing calls from critics to resign, over changes to the country’s constitution that could keep him in power indefinitely. Civil society groups and social media influencers had called for protests from June 26-28, after the government’s clampdown on protests earlier this month. A heavy police presence was set up throughout the capital, where many businesses closed for the day. Military jeeps were also deployed as reinforcements in some areas. “We’re hungry. Nothing works for Togolese youth any more, that’s why we’re going out to protest this morning,” said Kossi Albert, a 30-year-old unemployed man, adding that he was planning to turn out again on Friday.

Full report : Togo security forces use tear gas to disperse hundred of protesters demanding president’s resignation.