American Military Aid is Being Used to Kill the People of Togo

Yesterday the government of Togo violently suppressed the protests of the Togolese people by deploying military forces to open fire on the protests. This resulted in dozens of people being wounded and three people being killed. Among those who were killed included an 11 year old boy. This violent crackdown comes days after the government of Togo decided ban opposition protests, which is a violation of the right to freedom of association that the constitution of Togo provides.

In 2017, the United States provided $13.5 million in assistance to Togo, $0.3 million of which included military education and training aid. This military training that the United States is providing for Togo is being utilized to brutalize and kill the Togolese people as they attempt to exercise their constitutional rights. It is for this reason that the Federation of Afrikan Liberation has been calling on the United States to withdraw its support of the dictatorship of Togo and instead support the Togolese people who have been demanding an end to five decades of being ruled by one of the most corrupt, brutal, and inhumane dictatorships in the world. American tax payers should not be made to help finance such brutality.