On January 10, 2025, Togolese cyber activist and poet Honoré Sitsopé Sokpor, widely known as “Affectio,” published a short poem on Facebook titled “Fais ta part” (“Do your part”), urging citizens to “stand up without fear” in the face of oppression.
Two days later, on January 12, he was arrested by plainclothes officers at the La Pampa junction in Adidogomé, a neighbourhood of the capital, Lomé. Witnesses say he was beaten and forced into an unmarked vehicle by the officers.
On January 14, Affectio was presented before the public prosecutor at the Court of First Instance in Lomé. He was charged with “undermining the internal security of the State” and remanded to the Lomé civil prison pending further investigation. The authorities consider the poem to be an incitement to revolt.
His arrest has drawn concern from civil society actors. A group of ten organisations issued a joint statement condemning the arrest and calling for his immediate and unconditional release. They noted that the activist’s words were peaceful and called on the state to respect citizens’ right to free expression.
The MFWA joins the civil society organisations in condemning the arrest and the violent manner in which it was carried out. We call on the Togolese authorities to drop the charges, release Honoré Sitsopé Sokpor unconditionally, and urge authorities to uphold and protect civil liberties in the country.
