It has been exactly one year since 26 June 2025, when Togo witnessed one of the most tragic incidents within the protests that have shaken the nation. On that day, Jacques Koami Koutoglo, a 15-year-old adolescent, lost his life under circumstances that continue to provoke outrage and uncertainty. According to numerous accounts gathered by relatives and civil society organisations, his body was later discovered in the lagoon following the day’s events.
Beyond the human tragedy, this case has become emblematic of accusations of violence against civilians during popular mobilisations. For many observers, the death of a minor during a protest serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of the persistent political tensions in Togo.
For Jacques’s family, however, the pain did not end with his disappearance. Several weeks after his death, the authorities are said to have denied permission to hold a memorial mass on the 40th day after his passing, scheduled for 8 July 2025. This decision deeply shocked his loved ones, who viewed it as an infringement on their right to mourn with dignity.
In the eyes of many Togolese, preventing a family from honouring their child’s memory only prolongs their suffering. Beyond any political divisions, the right to grieve a relative and pay tribute is a fundamental freedom and a matter of basic human dignity.
A year later, the name of Jacques Koami Koutoglo remains tied to demands for truth, justice, and an end to impunity. His death continues to fuel calls for independent investigations into the violence surrounding the June 2025 protests and for accountability to be established.
For many, no lasting reconciliation can be envisioned until victims’ families receive answers about the exact circumstances of these deaths and until justice is served. When a child loses their life in a context of political contestation, the entire nation must reflect on the protection of fundamental rights and on the responsibility of those in power.
