Togo’s media regulator on Monday suspended French broadcasters RFI and France 24 for three months, citing “inexact and tendentious” content.
This temporary ban further limits their reach in West Africa, following multi-year suspensions in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
Togo’s High Authority for Audiovisual and Communications (HAAC) stated that recent broadcasts undermined republican institutions and the country’s image.
The two broadcasters expressed “surprise” at the unannounced ban, despite ongoing dialogue.
They reaffirmed their commitment to journalistic principles and independent news.
HAAC cited three specific reports: an interview with artist Aamron, a correspondent’s call for mobilization, and “biased” RFI commentary.
The suspension follows anti-government protests in Lomé last week, where police dispersed demonstrators and briefly detained journalists.
While over 50 people have been released, some remain in custody.
The protests, notably called for by rapper Aamron, were sparked by rising electricity prices and constitutional changes enacted by President Faure Gnassingbe, who took power in 2005.
Opposition groups claim these changes remove term limits, potentially extending his presidency until 2031 and positioning him for a new “president of the council of ministers” role.
Gnassingbe maintains the reforms will strengthen national unity.
Aamron was arrested on May 26, later appearing in a video apologizing to the president and claiming to be in a psychiatric hospital.
Togolese opposition parties and civil society groups demanded Gnassingbe step down last Thursday, urging civil disobedience from June 23.
Protests have been banned in Togo since 2022, though public meetings are allowed.
New calls for protests on June 26-28 have emerged.
Togo ranks 121st out of 180 countries in press freedom, an eight-place drop.