Hundreds of protesters marched toward central Lome's administrative offices from the opposition stronghold of Be, where burning truck tyres closed roads, but security forces turned them back with teargas when demonstrators pelted them with stones.
Earlier, thousands of women dressed in red had taken to the streets of Lome to warn that democracy was under threat, saying the constitution was still being violated after the army-nominated leader, Faure Gnassingbe, stepped aside last week.
Unlike earlier demonstrations in the three-week crisis, no gunfire was heard. There was no immediate word of casualties.
Demonstrators said the unannounced march had been sparked by anger at Friday's selection of Bonfoh Abbass as interim president of Togo until nationwide elections. - Sapa-AP
Published on the web by Cape Argus on February 28, 2005.
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