Togo: President’s Sister-in-Law Arrested For Dissenting Voice

Security forces in Togo have arrested former defence minister and prominent critic of the Togolese President, Marguerite Gnakadé. Gnakadé was detained at her home in the capital Lomé on Wednesday on largely undisclosed charges, though local media report she was accused of inciting the military to rebellion at a recent public gathering. Local media reported that she is being questioned and could face charges linked to alleged ties with exiled opposition figures and efforts to stir disobedience within the armed forces. Under Togolese law, convictions on those charges carry 10–20 years in prison.

Gnakadé, the widow of Ernest Gnassingbé, elder brother of the president, served as defence minister from 2020 to 2022 and was one of the first women to hold that post. In recent months she has written articles demanding his resignation and urging a peaceful, inclusive, and national transition.
Her arrest follows weeks of protests demanding the president step down and freedom for political prisoners. Demonstrations intensified after a new constitutional framework allowed Gnassingbé to shift into a newly created role, President of the Council of Ministers, sworn in this May. The position is now the highest executive office and carries no term limits.
Togo has been ruled by the same family since 1967, when Faure’s father, Gnassingbé Éyadéma, seized power and governed for 38 years. Faure Gnassingbé has led the country since his father’s death in 2005.

The civil society group Touche Pas À Ma Constitution (Don’t Touch My Constitution) said security officers wearing hoods arrested her without a warrant, calling the move an abuse of power aimed at silencing dissent. A youth-led coalition, M66, has issued a 72-hour ultimatum demanding her release and threatening nationwide demonstrations if authorities fail to comply.
Human rights organisations say at least seven people were killed in June during a crackdown on anti-government protests, though the government denies the deaths were connected to the unrest.
Authorities have not publicly detailed the charges against Gnakadé. The coming days are expected to clarify whether she will face formal prosecution and how her arrest will affect the broader movement challenging the Gnassingbé dynasty’s long-standing rule.