Marguerite Gnakadé’s Arrest Further Exposes The Myth of a Progressive Dictatorship in Togo

It was recently reported that Faure Gnassingbé’s sister-in-law, Marguerite Gnakadé, was arrested. Her crime was that she called for Faure to step down from power and for the military to side with the Togolese people. Togo is a nation where those who advocate for an end to dictatorship are routinely repressed through force, but this recent demand is of particular concern to the regime given the source of the call for change.

Gnakadé is not only a family member of Faure, but she served in his government as the defense minister of Togo. Her appointment at the time was part of the regime’s effort to present itself as being progressive on women’s rights given that Gnakadé was appointed as the nation’s first female defense minister. This was part of a larger effort to include more women in the government. A total of 30% of ministerial positions in Togo were held by women.

It was apparent at the time that the inclusion of women in the government was an attempt by the regime in Togo to present itself as a progressive one, when the reality is that it was only a facade to mask the deeply repressive nature of the regime. Gnakadé’s arrest exposes that the regime only cares about women’s rights so long as women serve the interests of the regime. Those who do not are met with brutal repression, even those who are members of Faure’s family.

The arrest comes as Faure faces continued pressure from his citizens who have been protesting for him to resign. Faure’s is also facing international scrutiny over the horrible state of human rights in Togo, as exemplified by the case of Aziz Goma and the many other political prisoners who have been detained under inhumane conditions.

Faure has found himself in the difficult position of trying to justify his hold over power by trying to present himself as a progressive leader, yet this image continues to be undermined by the repression which his government continues to engage in to remain in power. The fact that Faure has felt it necessary to even try to present himself as a progressive figure who is concerned with women’s rights and with Pan-Africanism also displays his increasing desperation to cling to power. It isn’t working however. The demands for change are growing louder and stronger in Togo.