Togo's Faure Gnassingbe signs new constitution that cancels presidential elections

This means Togo’s president will henceforth be elected through a parliamentary system rather than a presidential system.

The approval comes after 87 lawmakers approved the reforms on April 19, 10 days to the April 29 legislative elections, despite fierce opposition.

The announcement

A press statement on the Togolese government’s official X page announced the decision.

“The President of the Republic, His Excellency Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe, today promulgated Law No. 2024-005 revising the Togolese Constitution, marking a new stage in the institutional life of our country and strengthening the Democracy. Voted in the second deliberation on Friday, April 19, 2024, this constitutional revision is the result of the parliamentary initiative conducted in accordance with the legal provisions, enriched by the contributions of the nation's vital forces following the consultations held from 8 to 12 April 2024. The new constitutional law will be published in the Official Journal of the Togolese Republic,” the statement read.

What it means

The constitutional reform also means Togo will now operate a parliamentary system of government and will have four years as a presidential term with a two-term limit.

Although it may set precedence for future presidents, the new reform does not consider the existing years of the incumbent president, Gnassingbe. This means there is a possibility that Gnassingbe could be president for two more terms (8 years) before leaving government in 2033 if he is re-elected in 2025.

Events before constitutional reform approval.

The new constitution follows an announcement by Togo’s Election Commission on Saturday that Gnassingbe’s ruling party, Union for the Republic (UNIR) party won 108 out of 113 seats in parliament, and 137 out of 179 positions in the senate. The media and civic freedoms were repressed before this and protests against the new constitution were banned.

Opposition figures were arrested and the Catholic Church was banned from deploying election observers.

Foreign journalists were also refused accreditation to cover the process by Togo’s media regulator.

The Gnassingbe family rule

Faure Gnassingbe has ruled Togo for 19 years after taking over power from his father General Gnassingbe Eyadema in 2005 in a largely contested election.

The West African country has been ruled by the Gnassingbe family for nearly six decades.

Faure’s father, General Gnassingbe Eyadema, seized power in 1967, a few years after participating in the country’s first postcolonial coup in 1963. His presidency was described as autocratic, and characterised by brutality. His forces were accused by Amnesty International of massacring hundreds after a fraudulent election in 1998.