TOGO’S President Faure Gnassingbe has ignited a storm of controversy by returning a contentious constitutional reform bill to parliament for a second reading, as announced by a government minister on Friday, March 29th.
The proposed reform seeks to transition Togo from a presidential to a parliamentary system, granting the assembly the authority to elect the president for a singular six-year term. However, ambiguity surrounds whether this term can be extended, fuelling concerns of potential indefinite rule for Gnassingbe, who assumed power in 2005 following the reign of his father, General Gnassingbe Eyadema, who ruled for over 50 years after a coup.
Opposition parties within the West African nation have vehemently criticised the move, labelling it as a brazen power grab by Gnassingbe, particularly ahead of legislative and regional elections scheduled for April 20.
In a televised address, government spokeswoman Yawa Kouigan stated, ‘All things being subject to improvement, and given the interest generated in the population since its adoption, the president today asked the National Assembly president to hold a second reading on the law.’
Tensions have rapidly escalated over the constitutional overhaul, with police dispersing an opposition news conference earlier in the week amid widespread backlash against the proposed changes. Nearly 100 university academics, intellectuals, artists, political figures, and civil society actors have signed an appeal urging the populace to mobilise against what they deem as an abuse of power. They called on Gnassingbe to ‘stop the ongoing process for the good of our country.’
In the streets of Lome, the capital city, opinions among Togolese citizens are sharply divided over the reform. Photographer Claude Vivor criticised the lack of a national consultation, labelling it a ‘constitutional coup,’ while lawyer Samir Ouro Sama expressed hope that the change could help Togo navigate the recurrent crises sparked by contested presidential elections.
As tensions mount, concerns over press freedom have also emerged, with the arrest of a Togolese newspaper editor on Thursday, prompting warnings from media watchdogs about a looming clampdown on the press ahead of the upcoming elections.
In response to the unfolding situation, sources in Washington revealed that US government officials have urged Gnassingbe to ensure a peaceful and democratic resolution. Additionally, the Togo Bishops’ Conference has called on the president to postpone the promulgation of the new constitution and initiate an inclusive political dialogue.
The backdrop of these events includes a previous constitutional amendment in 2019, which limited presidential terms to two, albeit without retroactive application, allowing Gnassingbe to potentially contest two more elections, further fuelling the current tensions gripping the nation
