In prison since April in Dapaong, 5 students from the region arrested during the teachers’ strike are finally free to move. They were released on Monday 17 October 2022.
The young students were demonstrating regarding the strike launched by the Togo Teachers’ Union (SET), a union declared illegal by the Togolese authorities. The oldest of them is 23 years old and they are accused of violence during the demonstration.
It is indeed a matter of Bamok Fatou (23), a student at Lycée Nano, final year; Konene Sita (23), a student at Lycée Cinkassé, final year; Alaka Mohanz (22), a student at Lycée Tandjouaré, final year (valedictorian); Sanwogou Lepaguenibe (18), a student in the third year of secondary school at Lycée Tandjouaré; and Tarkpatike Yendoubou (19), a student in the final year at Lycée Tandjouaré
Students ordered to pay over 1 million in fines
The Togolese judiciary has indicated that the defendants should repair the damage caused during the movements before being released. The damage was estimated at 1.5 million FCFA, which would amount to 300,000 per person. This decision seems very difficult for all the children’s parents as they only have a week to raise the money.
Urgent fundraising to get children out of poverty
After analysing the situation and in order to avoid a tightening of the noose against the children, MP Gerry Taama, president of the Togolese New Commitment (NET), initiated an operation called ‘contribution for the payment of damages’. The aim was to mobilise money to secure the release of the students.
No bail paid before their release
But according to the latest information, the students were released by decision of the judicial authorities without any money being paid.
MP Gerry Taama also announced that he had stopped the kitty. However, he would like the money collected to be an emergency fund for social intervention in such situations.
