Thousands of demonstrators clashed with riot police in the capital for a second day Saturday, protesting Togo's recent army-appointed president in what many are calling a coup d'etat. West African leaders, who are leading the international pressure on the Togolese authorities to roll back their constitutional changes, have demanded Togo's leaders meet them in neighboring Niamey, Niger, on Saturday. At least 3,000 protesters hurled rocks and jagged pieces of metal at police, and set garbage fires to block their vehicles. Security forces fought back with tear gas, batons and stun grenades, attempting to quell a growing opposition against the appointment of President Faure Gnassingbe. Togo's military made Gnassingbe president Feb. 5 following the death of his father, Gnassingbe Eyadema. At least 10 people were wounded Friday as police and protesters fought briefly in the same narrow streets of Be, the neighborhood where opposition is the strongest. On Thursday, the country's main opposition movement issued a call to fight the Gnassingbe regime. "Everyday we must fight this president," said Mason Lawson, 25, before hurling two large stones at a phalanx of riot police moving rapidly toward him.
