LOME, Togo – March 26, 2024 – Togo has adopted a controversial new constitution that extends presidential terms from five to six years but limits them to a single term. This change could allow President Faure Gnassingbe to remain in power for an additional year beyond the previously expected 2030 limit.
Gnassingbe, who has ruled Togo since 2005 following his father’s death, could potentially hold office until 2031 if re-elected in 2025. This scenario is considered likely as his party dominates parliament, which, under the new system, elects the president.
The revised constitution, passed by a near-unanimous vote of 89 out of 91 lawmakers, marks a significant shift from the 2019 version, which limited presidents to two five-year terms chosen by universal suffrage.
Opposition parties have fiercely criticized the move, calling it a “constitutional coup” by a long-ruling regime. The Democratic Forces of the Republic specifically denounced the amendment as an attempt to prolong the Gnassingbe family’s grip on power, which has spanned nearly six decades.
This development comes amidst a broader trend in West and Central Africa, where several leaders have sought to extend their terms through legal means. Togo joins countries like the Central African Republic and Rwanda in making such changes. The region has also seen a concerning rise in military coups, with eight occurring in the past three years.
President Gnassingbe’s rule has not been without controversy. His re-election in 2020, which secured a landslide victory, was disputed by the opposition. Additionally, reports of violent police crackdowns on dissenters echo similar tactics employed during his father’s extended tenure.
The new constitution also establishes a powerful new position: the president of the council of ministers. This role will be vested with significant authority over government operations.