LOME, May 4 – The final provisional results of Togo’s legislative election last month reveal a landslide victory for the ruling party, with President Faure Gnassingbe’s UNIR party claiming 108 out of 113 parliamentary seats. This commanding win underscores the political dominance of UNIR and sets the stage for potential extensions to Gnassingbe’s nearly two-decade-long rule.
The resounding success of UNIR follows the contentious approval of constitutional reforms by the outgoing parliament. These reforms, subject to heated debate, have the potential to extend Gnassingbe’s tenure, providing a backdrop of uncertainty and anticipation within Togo’s political sphere. Among the notable changes introduced in March is the shift to a parliamentary system of governance, fundamentally altering the dynamics of presidential elections, which will now be determined by parliament rather than universal suffrage.
In the lead-up to the April 29 vote, opposition parties harbored aspirations of gaining ground to mount a challenge against UNIR’s supremacy. However, their hopes were dashed as UNIR’s formidable performance solidified its control over parliamentary affairs. This outcome echoes the consequences of the opposition’s previous boycott of legislative polls, effectively consolidating UNIR’s hold on power.
The electoral process faced several obstacles, including delays prompted by opposition backlash against perceived attempts to entrench Gnassingbe’s rule indefinitely. Central to these concerns were constitutional amendments, endorsed unanimously in an April parliamentary session, which reduce presidential terms to four years with a two-term limit. However, the absence of retrospective application means Gnassingbe could potentially extend his rule until 2033, pending reelection in 2025.
