Togo’s president, Faure Gnassingbe, recently signed a new constitution that eliminates presidential elections and allows parliament to choose the president. This move has sparked concerns among citizens and civil society groups that it will enable Gnassingbe to extend his family’s nearly six-decade rule. The new constitution also extends presidential terms to six years, but exempts Gnassingbe’s previous 20-year tenure from the limit. Additionally, the ruling party recently won a majority of parliamentary seats in an election marred by crackdowns on civic and media freedoms.
Critics fear that the new constitution will further entrench Gnassingbe’s grip on power in Togo. While it introduces a single-term limit for presidents, many believe that Gnassingbe will find a way to remain in office beyond 2025 when his current mandate expires. Togo has been ruled by the same family for 57 years and Gnassingbe initially came to power after an election that the opposition considered fraudulent. The constitutional changes also include the creation of a role similar to a prime minister, chosen by the ruling party, raising concerns that this could provide another avenue for Gnassingbe to stay in control.
Civil society organizations in Togo have strongly opposed the new constitution and have called for protests to revert to the previous constitutional framework. They argue that the 2025 election is crucial for the people to have a chance to choose a new president and finally achieve a democratic transition in the country. Despite the crackdown on dissent leading up to the recent parliamentary elections, opposition figures, religious leaders, and civil society activists continue to voice their disapproval of the changes and push for a return to democratic norms in Togo.
The new constitution has not only eliminated presidential elections in Togo but has also led to a series of actions by the government to suppress dissent and restrict media freedoms. The ban on protests against the proposed new constitution, arrests of opposition members, and suspension of accreditation for foreign journalists signal a tightening grip on power by the ruling party. The electoral commission even prevented the Catholic Church from deploying election observers, further limiting transparency and oversight in the electoral process.
The signing of the new constitution in Togo has sparked fears of a further descent into authoritarianism under Gnassingbe’s leadership. With concerns over the potential for the ruling party to manipulate the political system to maintain power, calls for a return to democratic principles and a peaceful transition of power continue to gain momentum. Civil society organizations, religious leaders, and opposition figures are speaking out against the constitutional changes and fighting for a more inclusive and transparent political system that respects the will of the Togolese people. The future of democracy in Togo remains uncertain as citizens navigate the challenges of challenging entrenched power structures and advocating for meaningful political reform.
