The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called on Togolese authorities to hold accountable those responsible for the violent attacks on at least six journalists. The incident took place on September 29, while the journalists were covering an opposition party meeting.
In a press release issued on Monday, Angela Quintal, head of CPJ’s Africa program, stated: “Togolese authorities must urgently identify those responsible for the physical attacks on journalists Hyacinthe Gbloedzro, Godfrey Akpa, Yawo Klousse, Yvette Sossou, Romuald Koffi Lansou, and Albert Agbeko, and hold them to account.” She added that “covering a political meeting should not mean putting yourself at risk of violence.”
The journalists, including reporters from our team (Icilome), Nana FM, La Dépêche, Afrique en ligne, TogoVisions, and Togo Scoop, described being beaten, hit with chairs, and having their equipment stolen. Some were left with serious injuries, while others reported that their phones were taken and destroyed. Witnesses claim that security forces present at the scene failed to intervene.
However, Togolese police announced on September 30 that an investigation had been launched, noting that security forces were not deployed because the rally had been banned.
“When CPJ called the armed forces ministry, a representative said they had no information about the incident. Calls and messages to Yawa Kouigan, Togo’s minister of communication, media, and culture, and spokesperson for the Togolese government, went unanswered “, read the press release.
This appeal from CPJ comes on the heels of several other expressions of outrage from public figures and international organizations. A few days ago, Amnesty International urged that the investigations be in line with “international standards.” Press freedom and freedom of expression remain under threat in Togo.