A former Togolese Minister of the Armed Forces, a vocal critic of the government in recent months, was arrested at her home on Wednesday, AFP learned from a police source and a local media outlet.

Marguerite Gnakadè, a minister between 2020 and 2022 and a member of the family of leader Faure Gnassingbé, had notably called for the latter's resignation two months ago.

In the context of demonstrations critical of the government in Lomé, she also called on the Togolese people "to take responsibility (...) so that the long-awaited change becomes reality."

"She was arrested for serious offenses, including her recent outing with her face uncovered, inciting the military to rebel and take responsibility," a police source told AFP.

According to the local media "Republic of Togo", which quotes security sources, Ms. Gnakadè "is currently being questioned by the relevant services."

The former minister had published several articles in recent months denouncing the management of Faure Gnassingbé, in power since 2005 and of whom she is also the sister-in-law.

"Leaving Faure Gnassingbé in power again will not change anything. He must responsibly resign to make way for a peaceful, inclusive, and national transition, with a view to rebuilding our country," she declared in mid-August.

The "Don't Touch My Constitution" front, which brings together opposition parties and civil society movements, said it was "very outraged" by this arrest, which it said was carried out "without a warrant by the hooded security forces who arrived in large numbers."

"Once again, this is an abuse of power that characterizes the regime's backward practices. The goal is to silence a dissenting voice. The Togolese no longer accept this governance of terror," the organization added in a statement.

On August 30, Ms. Gnakadè supported a demonstration launched on social networks by bloggers and artists by walking the streets of her neighborhood for a few minutes, before being blocked by the police.

Togo experienced several days of protests in late June, during which at least seven people were killed, according to civil society organizations.

The protesters were protesting the arrests of government critics, the rise in electricity prices and the constitutional revision that allowed Faure Gnassingbé, 59, to consolidate his power as head of Togo.