Activists and opposition figures in Togo have issued a call for protests on Wednesday (Mar. 27) in response to the impending approval of a new constitution by President Faure Gnassingbé.
The proposed constitution, recently passed by the country’s lawmakers, seeks to eliminate future presidential elections and could potentially allow Gnassingbé to prolong his tenure.
Under the proposed constitution, parliament would be entrusted with selecting the president, effectively removing the direct election process. This alteration heightens the likelihood of Gnassingbé securing reelection when his term concludes in 2025.
While some legal experts argue that the constitution introduces constraints on the powers of future presidents, including a one-term limit and increased authority for a position akin to a prime minister, known as the president of the council of ministers, the opposition is concerned that this role could serve as another avenue for Gnassingbé to retain control.
The president of the council of ministers will be either the leader of the majority party in legislative elections or the head of the winning coalition of parties, with a six-year term and no term limit.
Additionally, the new constitution extends presidential terms from five to six years. Notably, the almost two decades that Gnassingbé has served in office, succeeding his father, would not be included in this count.
The Catholic Christian clergy has urged the president to refrain from signing the bill into law, emphasizing the necessity for extensive consultation and inclusive national debate on such a significant matter.
Despite the constitutional reform passing through lawmakers on Monday (Mar. 25), the timeline for its implementation remains uncertain.
“We understand that the struggle will be arduous and prolonged, but alongside the Togolese people, we are committed to resisting this constitutional upheaval,” remarked Eric Dupuy, spokesperson for the opposition National Alliance for Change party. “We urge the population to reject this and to oppose it vehemently.”
However, on Wednesday (Mar. 27), police intervened and disrupted a press conference organized by the opposition, forcibly ejecting leaders and journalists from the venue.
Zeus Ajavon, a Constitutional Law lecturer at the University of Lome, argued that the assembly lacked the authority to amend the constitution, insisting that a referendum was necessary for the adoption of a new constitution.
Togo, with a population of approximately 8 million, has been under the same family’s rule for 57 years, initially led by Eyadema Gnassingbé and subsequently by his son, Faure Gnassingbé, who has been in office since 2005 following contested elections criticized by the opposition.
