Former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has called for a change in the political process in Togo in view of the nationwide anti-government protests.
Speaking in an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC, Obasanjo also urged Togolese president, Faure Gnassingbe, to make frantic efforts to appease the Togolese people.
His words: “I think the president (Faure Gnassingbe) should do something about the situation; I believe the president should have a new constitution where there is a limit to which someone can be president and he should abide by that.”
Obasanjo argued that 12 years were enough for Gnassingbe to exhaust whatever “ideas and development plans he has for the people of Togo”.
According to him, “Not too long ago, President Dos Santos of Angola decided to leave office, maybe other sit-tight African presidents will see wisdom in the actions of Dos Santos and follow suit.”
Anti-government protests have continued in Togo for a third day, with clashes between opposition supporters and police.
The opposition wants Gnassingbe to step down after 12 years in power.
He succeeded his father who governed for 38 years.
Togolese authorities have also blocked internet access in the country.
This is seen as a move from the Gnassingbe government to suppress the opposition and free speech as well as access to information regarding the ongoing protests.
According to US-based company, Dyn, which monitors the internet, traffic dropped off at 09:00 GMT yesterday in what critics said was a move by the government to suppress protests as other African incumbents had done.
Also, according to reports from some Togolese protesters, text messages had been blocked.
