Togo opposition urges 'sit-at-home' protests

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Opposition parties in the West African nation of Togo have called for a fresh round of protests on Monday following the news that parliamentary elections will be held before the end of the year.

Al Jazeera reported on Monday that opposition parties had urged supporters to take part in "sit-at-home" protests, which the government has urged people to boycott.

Togo's constitutional court last week asked the country's independent national election commission and the government to "take steps to organize parliamentary elections before the end of 2018."

In Togo, the government calls elections on the recommendation of the election commission – but the process has been stalled by a political crisis which has gripped the country for nearly a year.

Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets in regular protests, calling for a return to a two-term limit for presidents and incumbent Faure Gnassingbe to step down.

The Gnassingbe family has ruled Togo since 1968. Faure Gnassingbe took over on the death of his father Gnassingbe Eyadema in 2005 and has since won three elections.

Talks between the opposition coalition and the government, steered by the presidents of Ghana and Guinea, broke down in March.

The reintroduction of a two-term limit is a major stumbling block as it will determine whether Gnassingbe stands at the next presidential election scheduled for 2020.

(With input from agencies)

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