The African Union chairman, Nigeria's President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Saturday, February 19, told a visiting Togolese delegation that Faure Gnassingbe's political move was “unacceptable” and warned of “imminent” sanctions against the country, reported Agence France-Presse (AFP).

“As it is now ECOWAS will now impose full sanctions on Togo which even Nigeria has already started because there are no indications that the Togolese authorities are ready to reverse back to status quo and allow the country's constitution to prevail”, Oluremi Oyo, Obasanjo’s spokeswoman, told reporters.

She said travel sanctions and other measures would be imposed by the 15-member Economic Community of West African States, of which Nigeria is the most powerful member.

Faure, favored son of Togo strongman Gnassingbe Eyadema, was installed by the army to take over following the death of his father on February 5, and parliament promptly changed the constitution to allow it.

The legislature appointed him as its speaker, then extended the interim president's term from 60 days until 2008, when his father’s term in office was to expire.

Bowing to growing international pressure, 39-year-old Faure announced Friday, February 18, that presidential elections will be held within 60 days and that he would remain in office until then to ensure the continuity of the state.

Togolese march during a protest in Lome. (Reuters)

The Togolese leader’s decision to stay in power until the elections also drew fire from the head of the AU Commission, Alpha Oumar Konare.

In a statement, Konare blasted Gnassingbe's decision to remain in power “a violation of the Togolese constitution and pertinent decisions by the African Union and ECOWAS”.

The African official reiterated calls by the pan-African body for an immediate “return to constitutional legality” in Togo.

The head of ECOWAS said Friday's decision to leave Faure in power until elections did not go far enough and was unlikely to prevent sanctions.

“The constitution in place when President Eyadema passed away did not provide for succession by Mr Faure, who was a minister at the time,” ECOWAS Executive-Secretary Mohamed ibn Chambas told Reuters.

“It is only a partial concession on their part. Sanctions are very likely at this point.”

The constitution originally provided for the head of the National Assembly to take charge in the interim while elections were organized.

The 53-member AU had earlier forwarded two solutions to head off the crisis: immediate return to the status quo ante of the constitution, which mandated that the speaker of parliament assume the presidency pending elections within 60 days; or a short transition period, led by Gnassingbe, ahead of elections “as soon as possible”.

Back home, thousands of Togolese, some banging drums and blowing whistles, took to the streets of the capital Saturday, asking Gnassingbe to step down.

In the biggest opposition rally in two weeks, an estimated 25,000 people gathered in the opposition stronghold neighborhood of Be, chanting slogans and carrying placards.

“Back to the barracks”, “No to the military coup” and “Faure, go to hell, you will die young” read some of their placards.

Some chanted slogans against the French government, accusing the former colonial power of meddling in Togo's affairs.

One large white banner held by about 10 people read: “Mr. Chirac, you have French people in Togo. Be careful.”

Leopold Gnininvi, head of the Conference of African Peoples, told Saturday's opposition rally that another march would be organized on Wednesday.

He added that “from today, every Saturday we will call for the departure of Faure from power”.

“No one has the right to change the constitution, the speech and the promises of Faure do not resolve the problem, so we are going to continue the struggle,” said Yawovi Agboyibo, head of the Action Committee for Revival.

Security forces kept a low profile during the protest.

The government on Friday lifted a ban on public rallies and demonstrations imposed since Gbassingbe was made head of state.

Last Saturday, about 3,000 people gathered in the Be district for a rally that degenerated into violence.

Clashes between police and demonstrators left three people dead and several injured. Another demonstrator was killed Monday.

• Click to Watch the demonstrations