The arrest of Togolese rapper and activist Tchala Essowè Narcisse, known as Amron, has sparked strong condemnation from the opposition platform Dynamique pour la Majorité du Peuple (DMP), civil society, and netizens across the country.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the DMP described Amron’s arrest as “illegal, arbitrary, and politically motivated.” According to multiple eyewitness reports cited by the opposition, the artist was taken from his home around 11 p.m. on May 26 by a gendarmerie unit, in clear violation of Togo’s criminal procedure code, which prohibits home arrests between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Amron, originally from the northern region of Kara and widely followed on social media, rose to fame with his 2010 album Black Boys and has since used online platforms to voice bold criticism of the Togolese government. His recent posts addressed socio-economic grievances and alleged authoritarianism, which the DMP believes led to his targeting.
The DMP’s communiqué also calls for the immediate and unconditional release of cyberactivist and poet Koffi H. Sitsopé Sokpor, known as Affectio, imprisoned since January for a poem shared on Facebook. The platform further demands the release of all political prisoners, including those detained in the 2019 “Tigre Révolution” case.
“This arrest reveals the regime’s fear of youth and truth,” said the DMP, urging civil society, the diaspora, and all “free spirits” to mobilize. The group referenced a message from the Togolese Bishops’ Conference, which warned of growing public unrest and called for national dialogue.
As calls to locate Amron continue online, government silence persists. The DMP warns: “The battle is already lost for those who still seek to govern through fear.”
Togolese rapper Amron arrested: opposition denounces political repression
