Togo: Marguerite Gnakadé’s prolonged detention highlights opposition challenges

In Togo, the name Marguerite Gnakadé has come to symbolize the broader struggles faced by the political opposition amid the country’s enduring tensions. The former Minister of Defense, who served between 2020 and 2022 and was the first woman to hold this position, has been detained for 277 days following her public criticism of Faure Gnassingbé’s administration and her calls for a peaceful political transition.

Despite her familial ties to the Gnassingbé family through marriage, Gnakadé increasingly voiced dissatisfaction with the government’s policies. She argued that Faure Gnassingbé’s continued leadership failed to address the aspirations of the Togolese people and advocated for a non-violent change of leadership.

On September 17, 2025, security forces raided her residence in Lomé, leading to her arrest. Authorities accuse her of undermining state security and inciting rebellion, charges that have drawn significant attention from both supporters and human rights advocates.

A case with far-reaching implications

The detention of Marguerite Gnakadé is seen by many as emblematic of a systematic effort to suppress dissent in Togo. Her situation underscores the risks faced by those who challenge the established order, whether they are prominent figures or ordinary citizens. Over the years, civil society organizations and human rights groups have repeatedly condemned the erosion of public freedoms and the repression of political opponents in the country.

From regime insider to outspoken critic

What makes Gnakadé’s case particularly striking is her background as a former member of the government. For years, she contributed to state governance before emerging as one of the most vocal critics of Faure Gnassingbé’s leadership. Her arrest has been interpreted by some as a clear message that dissent, even from within the regime’s ranks, will not be tolerated.

Reports indicate that her judicial proceedings are progressing at an exceptionally slow pace, while concerns grow about her deteriorating health and well-being.

Unanswered questions and future uncertainties

After more than nine months in detention, critical questions remain unanswered. Why has a figure advocating for political change been held for such an extended period? What are the limits of political expression in Togo? And most importantly, how inclusive is the country’s political landscape when a single family has maintained power for nearly six decades—first under Gnassingbé Eyadéma and now under his son, Faure Gnassingbé?

For her supporters, Marguerite Gnakadé’s prolonged detention serves as a litmus test for the rule of law in Togo. It also highlights the challenges faced by those who dare to propose an alternative to the existing political framework.