Togolese security forces clash with protesters

The Togolese security forces and the demonstrators calling for total resumption of constitutional order clashed Sunday in the opposition stronghold of Be in the capital of Lome.

The security forces fired tear gas to disperse demonstrators who were burning truck tires, erecting barricades and throwing stones at riot police. The clash lasted till afternoon and there were no immediate reports of casualties.

Among the demonstrators are also members of three opposition parties, the Union Des Forces De Changement (Union of Forces for Change), the Convention Democratique Des Peuples Africains (Democratic Convention of African People) and the Comite d'Action Pour Le Renouveau (Action Committee for Renewal).

Thousands of women also staged a pro-democracy demonstration in the area, demanding a total return to constitutional legality and urging former parliament speaker Ouattara Natchaba to return from Benin to serve as acting president and organize the upcoming elections.

Meanwhile, thousands of women from the ruling Rally of the Togolese People (RPT) rushed to streets to back their party's nomination of former President Faure Gnassingbe as presidential candidate on Friday.

The Togolese army installed Gnassingbe in presidency on Feb. 7 shortly after the death of his father Gnassingbe Eyadema despite a constitutional provision that power ought to be passed to the speaker of the National Assembly.

Under the strong pressure from the United States, the United Nations and West African leaders, Gnassingbe stepped down late Friday to allow Abass Bonfoh, former deputy speaker of parliament, to become Togo's interim president.

Source: Xinhua