In Togo, activists and opposition figures have united in a call to halt the adoption of a new constitution that could potentially cement President Faure Gnassingbé’s grip on power. Scheduled protests aim to thwart the president’s approval of the proposed constitution, which would abolish future presidential elections, potentially prolonging Gnassingbé’s tenure.
The draft constitution, greenlit by lawmakers earlier this week, awaits President Gnassingbé’s endorsement. Under this proposed charter, parliamentary representatives would select the president, eliminating direct elections. This alteration raises concerns that Gnassingbé could secure re-election when his current term expires in 2025.
While some legal analysts argue that the new constitution imposes limits on presidential authority by introducing a single-term limit and empowering a figure akin to a prime minister, dubbed the president of the council of ministers, opposition voices fear it could serve as another avenue for Gnassingbé to maintain control.
The president of the council of ministers will be either the leader of the majority party in parliamentary elections or the head of the winning coalition, serving a non-renewable six-year term.
Additionally, the proposed constitution extends presidential terms from five to six years. Notably, Gnassingbé’s nearly two-decade-long tenure, succeeding his father, would not factor into the term count.
Calls for transparency and consultation
The Catholic Christian clergy has urged against the president’s endorsement of the bill, emphasizing the need for broad consultation and inclusive national dialogue on such a significant political shift. “Such an important subject which will profoundly change the political life of the country must give rise to broad consultation and a more inclusive national debate,” said the Conference of Togolese Catholic bishops in a statement.
They eventually called on the head of State to “engage in an inclusive political dialogue, following the results of the […] legislative and regional elections” scheduled for April 20.
Although the constitutional reform was passed by lawmakers, it remains uncertain when the changes will take effect.
Opposition leaders, including Eric Dupuy of the National Alliance for Change party, remain resolute in their opposition, urging the populace to reject and resist the constitutional amendments.
However, authorities disrupted an opposition-led news conference on Wednesday, forcibly removing leaders and journalists from the venue. Legal experts, like Zeus Ajavon of the University of Lome, assert that the Assembly lacks the authority to revise the constitution, insisting that a referendum is necessary for adoption.
The west African country, with a population of approximately 8 million, has been under the rule of the same family for 57 years, initially led by Eyadema Gnassingbé and subsequently by his son, Faure Gnassingbé, who assumed office in 2005 amid contested elections.
