5 die in clashes between police, protesters in Togo

At least five people have been killed in clashes between police and protesters in the West African country of Togo, the government says.

The fatalities occurred during two days of skirmishes that erupted on Friday in the city of Mango, some 600 kilometers (370 miles) north of the capital, Lome.

The protesters were angry at government plans to rehabilitate several protected areas, which cover a number of localities in the northern region over an area of 179,000 hectares.

Two people were killed on Friday as law enforcement officers tried to disperse the unauthorized march while more than 20 others sustained injuries, among them eight security forces.

The protests continued on Saturday during which two more people lost their lives.

“In total, five people have died in two days,” Togo’s Minister of Territorial Administration Payadowa Boukpessi said on national television.

He added that authorities have taken disciplinary action against security forces that had been “responsible for the slip-ups,” adding that a judicial investigation has also been ordered “to shed light on all the events.”

The situation reportedly forced President Faure Gnassingbe to call an emergency government meeting on Saturday.

However, locals said the city was calm on Saturday afternoon.

“Security officers are visible at some intersections, others are driving around the city in their jeeps,” said a resident.

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