On October 12, 2026, residents of Agbantékopé, Agbantokopé, Kéta, and Badougbé gathered at the Vo 2 City Hall to denounce the dredging and sand extraction works on Lake Togo by a Chinese company. They claim the project poses risks to their safety and livelihoods as fishermen. The protesters demand an immediate halt to the works, citing the recent deaths of three people by drowning and the near-drowning of a fourth person.
The protest occurred during the fourth ordinary session of the Vo 2 Municipal Council, where council members were discussing the 2027 budget. The sudden interruption by nearly 100 residents from lakeside communities brought the proceedings to a halt. Mayor Dominique Tomégah suspended the meeting to listen to the delegations, highlighting the urgency of the situation. The protesters expressed their frustration and fear, having lost several lives to drowning since the Chinese company began its operations.
The President of the Abatékopé Village Development Committee lamented the lack of information and consultation before the project's commencement. He claimed that during a workshop in Aného, authorities and the company were urged to inform affected communities, but this was not done. The committee president questioned the project's conditions and management, stating that the village chief, not the community, authorized the project. He emphasized the need for transparency in the project's implementation.
Protesters highlighted the risks associated with the dredging, including the creation of holes in the lake that make navigation and fishing more hazardous. They reported several recent incidents of drowning and feared that the situation would worsen if the project continued. A sixty-year-old woman explained that the changes to the lake's bottom have complicated fishing activities, making it difficult for fishermen to navigate and find safe areas.
The communities also expressed concerns about the environmental and economic impacts of the project. They argued that preserving the lake is crucial for their livelihoods, ecology, and security. The protesters presented a petition demanding the halt of the works and await a response from the authorities. They emphasized that a project meant to benefit the community should not result in loss of life.
Municipal council members, including Kpékou Semenyo Anani and Logossou Amouhowa, thanked the protesters for their concerns and acknowledged the need for a solution. They expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and promised to escalate the matter to their superiors. Mayor Dominique Tomégah assured the protesters that their concerns would be addressed and that patience was needed while solutions were sought.
The issue has been ongoing since an environmental workshop was held in June 2026 to assess the project's compliance and mitigation measures. However, protesters claim that their communities were not adequately informed before the project's start. Meanwhile, fishermen have also demanded the return of their nets seized by the Togolese Coast Guard, which they claim was done without notification or justification.
Key points
- The Togolese communities demand an immediate halt to the Chinese sand extraction project on Lake Togo, citing risks to their safety and livelihoods.
- The project has resulted in several deaths by drowning and poses environmental and economic risks to the communities.
- The protesters are seeking a response from the authorities and a solution to their concerns.
