Togolese Protest VIII – Singing III

A group of Togolese protesters chose the World Climate Conference in Bonn (COP23) as an occasion to protest against the Togolese president Faure Gnassingbé, whose family has been in power for more than 50 years. Gnassingbé held regular elections since 2005. However, the opposition claims that he has been kept in his position by election fraud.

The protesters demanded Faure Gnassingbés resignation and asked the participating countries of the World Climate Conference not to negotiate with his representatives as they were representing a criminal and repressive regime. Moreover, they denounced the ongoing exploitation of the African continent by European and other western countries.

Their march, which was accompanied by various speeches in both French and German as well as chants and singing, began at Kaiserplatz in Bonn and followed Kaiserstraße towards the World Conference Centre.

During the march the protesters sang various songs. This song was led by a female lead singer with a microphone. The other singers followed. They were accompanied by a double Gankogui or Agogo bell made from metal.

Towards the end of the recording you can hear an electric siren and some music starting to play from the loudspeakers.

Sound and Photo: Kathinka Engels