Clashes between Police and Protesters in Togo Kill 5

Clashes between police and protesters over the past two days have left five people dead in the west African nation of Togo, according to the latest government tally Saturday.

Violence broke out on Friday in Mango, some 600 kilometers (370 miles) north of Lome, when law enforcement officers tried to disperse an unauthorized march by a group that opposed plans to rehabilitate several protected areas.

Two people were shot dead and 21 others injured, including eight among the security forces.

The protests continued on Saturday, when two more people where killed, the minister of territorial administration Payadowa Boukpessi said on national television.

"In total, five people have died in two days," he said.

"Disciplinary action was taken against security forces, those responsible for the slip-ups. A judicial inquiry has also been ordered to shed light on all the events," added Boukpessi.

President Faure Gnassingbe called an emergency government meeting on Saturday, according to sources close to the presidency.

Calm had returned to Mango by Saturday afternoon, local residents told AFP.

"The city has been calm since 3:00 pm (1500 GMT). Security officers are visible at some intersections, others are driving around the city in their jeeps," said a motorcycle taxi driver.

The protected areas due to be rehabilitated cover several localities in the northern region over an area of 179,000 hectares.