TOGOLESE WOMEN PROTESTING PANTS DOWN

Several thousands of demonstrators demonstrated in the capital of Togo over the week in the latest round of protest ahead of parliamentary elections expected in October,2012.

Togolese women finally carried out their threat.

During a protest by the opposition collective “Sauvons Le Togo” (“Let’s Save Togo”) on August 28 in Togo’s capital Lome, several female demonstrators spontaneously dropped their trousers in front of police forces to provoke them, to the great amusement of fellow protesters, bystanders and journalists.

'operation show what your mama gave you'


The day before, a woman group had called on its female members to join a week-long “sex strike”, designed to motivate more men to join them in their fight against President Faure Gnassingbé. For the moment there is no way of knowing if this appeal to “close their legs”, as local journalists describe it, has been adhered to.

Another demonstration is planned for next Thursday, where this time women have been openly invited to undress.


A number of previous demonstrations were dispersed with tear gas, but no incidents were reported on Saturday during the protest organised by a coalition of civil society and opposition groups called Let's Save Togo.

Organisers called the demonstration to protest against impunity over alleged killings by security forces over the last two decades.

*Isabelle Ameganvi ,the leader of the women's wing of Togolese advocacy group ‘Let's Save Togo ‘asked women to go on a naked demonstration on Thursday if arbitrary arrests of members of the opposition continue, saying that the sex strike is gradually gaining grounds.

"This march is aimed at denouncing the impunity that reigns in our country," said Francis Pedro Amuzu, a member of the coalition. "The torture and killing of Togolese must be stopped."

Leading opposition figures, including former presidential candidate Jean Pierre Fabre and ex-prime minister Agbeyome Kodjo, participated in the protest. Kodjo was briefly detained in June following protests.


After the march, protesters gathered at the gravesite of opposition figure Tavio Amorin, who was killed in 1992 in Lome allegedly by security agents.

While the polls are expected to be held in October, no precise date has been set. Let's Save Togo has argued more time was needed for reforms to be carried out before the vote.

Togo has some six million people, who have been led by the same family for more than four decades.

General Gnassingbe Eyadema ruled Togo for 38 years with an iron fist until his death in 2005. Following his death, the military installed his son Faure Gnassingbe as president.

He later won elections in 2005 and 2010.