Thousands took to the streets Nov. 21 in Lomé, Togo, demanding a term limit that would prevent President Faure Gnassingbé from running in 2015, after 10 years in power. Police attacked demonstrators with tear gas and rubber bullets.

“The police attack didn’t dampen the people’s spirit,” said Togo-born Farida Nabourema, 24, who lives in Washington, D.C., and was in touch with people on the scene. She hosts the “African Awakening” French-language program on SaharaTV website and is a member of the “Faure Must Go” movement. The next day opponents of Gnassingbé called for a Nov. 28 demonstration.

The Gnassingbé family has ruled the country since Gnassingbé Eyadéma, Faure’s father, led a military coup in 1967. Faure Gnassingbé assumed power after his father’s death in February 2005. The anti-government protests were inspired by the mass popular demonstrations in Burkina Faso last month that overthrew Blaise Compaoré, who had been president since taking power in a 1987 coup in which Thomas Sankara, leader of the 1983 revolution there, was assassinated.

Lt. Col Isaac Zida, who took over after Compaoré fled, appointed Michel Kafondo, former ambassador to the United Nations, president last week. Kafondo then appointed Zida prime minister, who in turn named a transitional government that promises to organize elections next year.