Togo’s presidents signs a law expected to extend his decades-long rule

Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe has ratified a contentious new constitution that abolishes presidential elections, according to a statement released by his office late Monday. This action, critics argue, paves the way for him to prolong his family’s decades-long reign.
The revised law grants parliament the authority to elect the president, eliminating the direct voting process. Over the weekend, the electoral body announced the victory of Gnassingbe’s party, securing a majority of seats in the country’s parliament.
Crackdown on Civil Liberties
Leading up to the decision, there was a clampdown on civil and media freedoms. Protests against the proposed constitution were prohibited, and opposition figures were detained. Additionally, the electoral commission barred the Catholic Church from deploying election monitors.
In mid-April, a French journalist covering the elections was arrested, assaulted, and expelled. Subsequently, Togo’s media regulatory body suspended the accreditation process for foreign journalists.
Dominant Party Secures Overwhelming Control in Parliament
Preliminary results revealed that the ruling Union for the Republic (UNIR) party clinched 108 out of 113 parliamentary seats and 137 out of 179 senate positions.
The new constitution also extends presidential terms from five to six years and introduces a single-term restriction. However, Gnassingbe’s nearly two decades in office wouldn’t be counted toward this limit.
The West African nation has been under the dominion of the same family for 57 years, initially under Eyadema Gnassingbe and later his son, Faure Gnassingbe, who assumed power after elections disputed by the opposition.
Concerns Surrounding Constitutional Changes
The political opposition, religious leaders, and civil society express apprehension that the proposed constitution makes it probable for Gnassingbe to continue in office beyond his current mandate, slated to end in 2025. Additionally, there are concerns that the establishment of a role akin to a prime minister, to be appointed from the ruling party, could offer another avenue for Gnassingbe to extend his hold on power even after the forthcoming term.