Togo’s Faure Gnassingbé Gains Indefinite Rule Under New Parliamentary System

Faure Gnassingbé, whose family has ruled Togo for nearly six decades, has officially assumed the powerful new position of President of the Council of Ministers—a role with sweeping executive powers and no term limits, created under constitutional reforms passed last year. The move has drawn sharp criticism from opposition figures and civil society, who call it an “institutional coup d’état” designed to extend Gnassingbé’s rule indefinitely.

The change follows a controversial shift from a presidential to a parliamentary system of governance, under a new constitution adopted in May 2024. The presidency, previously the pinnacle of executive power, has now been reduced to a largely ceremonial role.

End of Presidential Elections, Start of a New Era

Under the reformed system, the leader of the majority party in the National Assembly automatically assumes the office of President of the Council—now Togo’s highest executive authority. Gnassingbé’s ruling party, Union for the Republic (UNIR), secured a dominant majority in the April 2024 legislative elections, winning 108 out of 113 seats. The process was widely criticised, with opposition parties labelling it fraudulent and boycotting both the vote and the Senate elections.

The Constitutional Court confirmed Gnassingbé’s nomination, and he was sworn in during a plenary session on Saturday.

“The era of presidential elections in Togo has ended. What we are witnessing is not a democratic transition, but a constitutional entrenchment of authoritarian rule,” said a joint statement by the opposition Democratic Forces for the Republic and National Alliance for Change.

Full Control with No Term Limits

The President of the Council of Ministers now commands full executive authority, overseeing government policy, defence and security, foreign affairs, civil and military appointments, and law enforcement. Analysts note that the office lacks any formal term limit, raising concerns about indefinite rule.

The UNIR party has not issued a formal response to the opposition’s accusations, but its consolidation of power through legal and institutional means appears calculated and irreversible.

“In theory, Togo now has a parliamentary system. In reality, power is more centralised than ever,” said political analyst Kossi Mensah.

Gnassingbé’s assumption of this role ends his tenure as President of the Republic—a post now considered ceremonial. That role was handed to Jean-Lucien Kwassi Savi de Tove, who will serve without executive authority.

A Dynasty Entrenched

The Gnassingbé family has governed Togo since 1967 when Faure’s father, General Gnassingbé Eyadéma, seized power in a coup. Following his death in 2005, Faure took office amid violent protests and disputed elections. Nearly 20 years later, the family’s hold on power remains unbroken.

Saturday’s swearing-in marks what the government calls “a new institutional chapter” under Togo’s Fifth Republic. But for many Togolese citizens, especially the youth and marginalised communities, it signals the closing of democratic space.

“This process is neither legal nor legitimate. It is the result of an institutional hold-up orchestrated by a desperate regime,” said opposition leaders.

Municipal Elections Ahead

Despite the boycott of recent national elections, opposition parties say they will participate in municipal elections scheduled for 10 July 2025—the first vote under the new constitutional order. Observers will be watching closely to assess whether the electoral process offers any meaningful space for political competition or is merely a façade for authoritarian rule.

Togo, a small West African nation rich in phosphates but plagued by poverty and political stagnation, now faces growing concerns over democratic backsliding—joining a regional trend of constitutional manipulation and extended presidential tenures.