(SenePlus) – The “Touche Pas A Ma Constitution” front, a coalition of Togolese civil society organizations, strongly condemned the attack on Senegalese MP Guy Marius Sagna that occurred on September 29, 2024 in Lomé. In a press release issued immediately after the incident, the front spoke out “vigorously against this violence orchestrated by people hiding behind militiamen”.
The attack occurred during a meeting organized by the Dynamics for the Majority of the People (DMP) at the headquarters of the Democratic Convention of African Peoples (CDPA). Guy Marius Sagna, visiting as part of a relocated session of the ECOWAS Parliament, was injured and taken to a clinic following the violent intervention of militiamen who came to illegally disperse the meeting.
“Touche Pas A Ma Constitution” underlines that this aggression is part of a broader context of “alarming deterioration of the political climate” in Togo. The front denounces an “increasing restriction of civic space”, citing repeated and unjustified bans on opposition activities, in flagrant violation of the Togolese law on peaceful public demonstrations.
Faced with this situation, the front solemnly urges the Togolese authorities to immediately cease these “liberticidal practices”, to scrupulously respect the law on peaceful demonstrations, and to guarantee freedom of expression and assembly for all. He also calls for the unconditional release of political prisoners and an end to judicial harassment of opponents.
“Touche Pas A Ma Constitution” also launches an urgent appeal to the international community, and particularly to ECOWAS, to take stock of the seriousness of the situation in Togo. The front calls on the regional organization to use all means at its disposal to return the country to the path of democracy and the rule of law.
The press release strongly reminds us that “democracy cannot flourish in the forced silence of the opposition and the repression of dissenting voices”. For “Touche Pas A Ma Constitution”, the peaceful confrontation of ideas remains the beating heart of a free and prosperous nation.
