Togo evicts informal traders before holidays
Journalist Dieudonné Sewonou criticizes the timing and lack of alternatives for displaced vendors.
Journalist Dieudonné Sewonou reports that authorities in Lomé are clearing informal traders from public spaces ahead of the holiday season. This action displaces many small business owners and artisans who rely on year-end sales for income. The evictions are happening without immediate alternative solutions or social support for those affected.
Sewonou highlights the cruel timing of these evictions, occurring just before the holidays when many informal workers aim to make profits. These micro-activities are a last resort for families facing rising living costs and eroding purchasing power. Many have taken out loans to stock up for the festive period, and their displacement risks pushing them into severe debt.
The journalist also questions the follow-through on development plans for cleared sites, noting that many areas remain abandoned or in a state of disrepair since 2023. He observes that instead of resolving the issue, evicting informal vendors without providing sustainable solutions merely shifts the problem, leaving some formerly vibrant areas as derelict lots.
Why it mattersInformal traders and their families in Lomé are directly affected by evictions that threaten their livelihoods and financial stability, especially during the critical holiday period.