Togo’s Parliament Approves Constitutional Changes That Extend the President’s Term

Togo’s parliament has given its final approval to constitutional changes that extend the president’s term, a move critics have labelled as a coup. The amendments transition the country from a presidential to a parliamentary system, with President Faure Gnassingbé’s supporters arguing that this reduces the president’s powers by transforming the role into a ceremonial one.

However, opposition figures contend that the reforms effectively remove limits on Gnassingbé’s tenure, potentially allowing him to remain in office until 2031. Moreover, they argue that a subsequent appointment to the newly created position of “president of the council of ministers” could perpetuate his family’s 57-year rule.

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President Gnassingbé ascended to power in 2005 following his father’s death, who had ruled since 1967. The constitutional changes were initially approved by lawmakers last month but were met with public outcry, prompting Gnassingbé to pause the reforms for further consultations.

While Human Rights Minister Yawa Djigbodi Tségan hailed the move as an improvement for democracy, opposition leader Brigitte Kafui Johnson described the amendments as a power grab. Pro-government lawmakers conducted nationwide visits to discuss the reforms, but no changes were made as a result. Expressing dissent in public has been met with fear, given past police crackdowns on anti-government protests.

Following Friday’s vote, which saw unanimous approval of the amended charter, opposition parties and civil society groups renewed their calls for widespread protests. They labelled the changes as a political maneuver to extend Gnassingbé’s tenure indefinitely and urged the population to mobilise against the new constitution.

The constitutional amendments introduce a parliamentary system, shorten presidential terms to four years with a two-term limit, and alter the method of presidential election from universal suffrage to parliamentary selection. Critics fear these changes could consolidate Gnassingbé’s hold on power and undermine democratic principles in Togo.