Marguerite Gnakadé, a former defence minister and outspoken critic of Togo’s government, has been arrested by security forces at her home in the capital, Lomé, according to police sources.
Gnakadé, who is also the sister-in-law of President Faure Gnassingbé, had recently called for his resignation and urged the military to support the people in ending decades of family rule.
“She was arrested for serious actions, including inciting the armed forces to rebellion,” a police officer told AFP.
Local media reports indicate she was taken into custody on Wednesday by masked officers in what opposition groups are calling a politically motivated arrest.
Togo is currently facing nationwide unrest, with protests demanding Gnassingbé’s resignation and the release of political prisoners. Tensions escalated after a new constitutional framework allowed the president to retain power indefinitely by transitioning into a new role as President of the Council of Ministers, a position with no term limits.
Gnassingbé has ruled since 2005, following the 38-year reign of his father, Gnassingbé Éyadéma, making it one of the world’s longest-standing political dynasties.
Gnakadé, a widow of Ernest Gnassingbé—Faure’s elder brother—served as defence minister from 2020 to 2022. She was one of the first women to hold such a high-profile security post in Togo.
In recent months, she published articles criticizing the regime and voiced support for anti-government protests, calling for a “peaceful, inclusive, and national transition.”
Authorities are now questioning Gnakadé, and some reports allege she has ties with exiled opposition leaders and is accused of attempting to incite disobedience in the military. If found guilty, she could face 10 to 20 years in prison for undermining state security.
Her arrest has sparked strong reactions online and on the ground. A coalition of opposition parties and civil society groups known as Touche Pas À Ma Constitution (Don’t Touch My Constitution) condemned the arrest as unlawful and politically driven.
“This is yet another abuse of power intended to silence dissent,” the group said, calling for Gnakadé’s immediate and unconditional release.
Meanwhile, the youth-led M66 movement has issued a 72-hour ultimatum demanding her release, threatening mass demonstrations if authorities do not comply.
In June, at least seven people were killed during a government crackdown on protests, with some bodies recovered from rivers around the capital. The government denied any link between the deaths and the protests.
Further developments in the case are expected in the coming days, as pressure mounts both nationally and internationally for Togo to respect political freedoms.
