Togo president's sister-in-law arrested after calling end to family rule

“She was arrested for serious acts, including her recent public appearance inciting the military to rebellion,” a police source told AFP. Local media reported that security forces detained Gnakadé at her home in the capital, Lomé.

The arrest comes amid weeks of protests that have shaken the West African nation. Demonstrators have called for Gnassingbé, in power since 2005 after succeeding his father’s 38-year rule, to step down. Anger intensified earlier this year after a controversial constitutional change allowed Gnassingbé to transition into a new role as President of the Council of Ministers — the most powerful office in the executive branch, with no term limits.

Gnakadé, widow of the president’s late elder brother Ernest Gnassingbé, served as defence minister between 2020 and 2022, one of the first women to hold the post. In recent months, she had published scathing articles urging the president to resign in favour of what she called a “peaceful, inclusive, and national transition.” Her outspoken stance marked a rare public break within the ruling family.

News of her detention quickly went viral on social media, with opposition parties and civil society groups denouncing what they described as a politically motivated crackdown. The coalition Touche Pas A Ma Constitution (“Don’t Touch My Constitution”) accused security forces of arresting her without a warrant. “Once again, this is an abuse of power that characterises the regime’s retrograde practices. The aim is to silence a dissenting voice,” the group said in a statement, demanding her unconditional release.

A youth-led movement known as M66 also issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the authorities, threatening nationwide demonstrations if Gnakadé is not freed.

Judiciary sources said she is being questioned over alleged ties to exiled opposition figures and claims she sought to incite disobedience within the armed forces. If convicted, she could face between 10 and 20 years in prison.

In June, civil rights groups reported at least seven deaths during a crackdown on anti-government protests, with bodies recovered from rivers in Lomé. The government denied the fatalities were linked to demonstrations.

The coming days are expected to bring clarity on the charges against Gnakadé, but her arrest has already deepened tensions in a country grappling with protests, political repression, and anger at a regime that has ruled for nearly 60 years.