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Togolese protesters march, hold sex strikes for democracy 2012-2013

Summary

For 38 years, Togo was ruled by a military dictator, General Gnassingbe Eyadema. Following Eyadema’s death in 2005, the military installed his son, Faure Gnassingbe, as President, in what the African Union has denounced as a military coup d’etat. [source: nv-database]

Tactics used

Background

Although Faure Gnassingbe won democratic elections in 2005 and 2010, both election results have been called into question amid allegations of fraud and intimidation. Togo’s next legislative elections were slated to take place in October 2012, although no date had been announced. [source: nv-database]

What happened

In June 2012, the National Assembly passed a suite of electoral reforms, which included increasing the number of deputies in the legislature by 10. Opposition groups, including the Let’s Save Togo Coalition of civil society groups and opposition political parties, denounced the changes as a power-grab by Gnassingbe’s party. On 12-14 June, the Let’s Save Togo Coalition staged protests in Togo’s capital city, Lome. On the second day of the demonstration, police dispersed the several thousand peaceful demonstrators with tear gas and chased after protesters fleeing the gas. Police alleged that their actions were in response to “youths” setting bonfires, but reports do not directly link those individuals to the Let’s Save Togo Coalition or its leadership. Police occupied the square on 14 June and dispersed crowds that were attempting to continue the protest. Coalition leader Zeus Ajavon announced that protest leaders were asking protesters to continue their action by staying home the following day, a Friday. The Coalition claimed police injured 119 protesters over the course of the three-day protest, while police claimed 22 officers were injured. Following the protests, police arrested three protest leaders, two journalists, and 51 others. Police also reportedly smashed down the door of former prime minister and Let’s Save Togo leader Agbeyome Kodjo, detaining him for several hours and questioning him about the 12-14 June protests. The Let’s Save Togo Coalition announced a march in Deckon, a major commercial center in the capital city of Lome, during a three-day protest spanning 21-23 August. The government then announced a ban on protests in commercial areas. Several thousand people gathered for the first day of the Coalition’s march and the people protested on each of the three days. 100 police officers barricaded the commercial Deckon neighborhood and barred entrance to the marchers. Police again deployed tear gas against protesters, and around 100 people were injured by police officers over the course of the three-day protest period. Police detained 119 protesters overnight, releasing them after conducting identity checks. Police also questioned an additional 8 individuals that they had found carrying knives before turning them over to prosecutors. The Coalition organized another march for two days later, 25 August, this time issuing a declaration that they w. [source: nv-database]

Key people & organizations

  • The Let’s Save Togo Coalition [source: nv-database]
  • Zeus Ajavon [source: nv-database]
  • Agbeyome Kodjo [source: nv-database]
  • Isabelle Ameganvi [source: nv-database]

Outcome

Verdict: partial.

Per the source’s scoring rubric, the campaign scored 1 out of 6 points on achieving specific demands/goals, 1 out of 1 points on survival, and 2 out of 3 points on growth — for 4 out of 10 points overall. [source: nv-database]

Lessons

  • A campaign can survive and grow even when its core demands are not met — sustaining an organization matters as much as immediate wins.
  • Public marches and assemblies create visibility but require shielding from state repression to remain effective [source: nv-database]
  • Unconventional tactics like sex strikes can draw international attention but rarely translate into immediate policy change [source: nv-database]

Sources

Disclaimer: Included as a teaching example of campaign craft, not as endorsement.

Sources & verification

  • nv-database — grounding: primary — license: link-only
  • Built: 2026-07-04 from GNVAD content via T1 balance pipeline.

Last verified: 2026-07-09