The Freedom Togo-National Liberation Movement (Freedom Togo-MLN), a political movement formed in July 2024, is set to hold its first public event this Saturday, November 9. The virtual gathering will begin at 8:00 p.m. GMT (9:00 p.m. Paris time) and is open to the public, with a Zoom link available from 7:30 p.m. GMT for anyone interested in joining.
This event, themed “The New Political Face of the Togolese Diaspora in the Struggle for National Liberation,” reflects Freedom Togo-MLN’s mission to engage Togolese citizens abroad and domestically in a renewed effort toward political change. The movement’s formation came shortly after a constitutional revision in May 2024 that eliminated presidential elections in Togo, a decision by the ruling party that has drawn varied responses from the Togolese public and diaspora.
Kofi Yamgnane, one of the founders of Freedom Togo-MLN and a former French Secretary of State for Integration under President François Mitterrand, has been outspoken about the movement’s objectives in recent interviews. In a recent statement to DW, he described the political situation in Togo as increasingly repressive: “The regime is becoming more and more dictatorial, with the press silenced and opposition voices beaten down and ridiculed,” he said.
Yamgnane also highlighted the role of the diaspora in Freedom Togo-MLN’s efforts, noting that historical liberation movements have often been supported from abroad. “Many liberation struggles have been organized by individuals in exile. Figures like Hồ Chí Minh, Lenin, and De Gaulle all contributed to their countries’ independence from afar,” he explained.
The movement’s stated mission goes beyond a shift in power, seeking a transformative change in Togo’s political landscape. “Our goal is not merely a political alternation but a genuine alternative. We want to unite the Togolese diaspora and people around a collective vision to address longstanding divisions and foster national cohesion,” Yamgnane added.
The event marks a significant step for Freedom Togo-MLN as it seeks to mobilize the diaspora and other supporters for what it envisions as a new chapter in Togo’s political history.