Amid tensions sparked by controversial constitutional reforms, Togo has decided to postpone parliamentary and regional elections. The reforms, endorsed by lawmakers last week, replaced the presidential system with a parliamentary one, thereby transferring executive power to the prime minister and relegating the presidency to a symbolic role.
Opposition parties have vehemently opposed the reform, fearing it could perpetuate President Faure Gnassingbé’s hold on power. Gnassingbé assumed office following the death of his father, Gnassingbé Eyadéma, who ruled Togo with an iron fist for 38 years until his demise in 2005.
Originally scheduled for April 20, the elections’ postponement was announced by the presidency on Wednesday, without specifying a new date. The move has sparked a call from the Conference of Togolese Catholic bishops urging President Gnassingbé not to sign the constitutional amendments into law, advocating instead for a broader consultation and inclusive national debate.
Under the revised system, the president will be appointed by parliament for a single six-year term, rather than being directly elected. With opposition parties boycotting previous elections and having limited representation in parliament, the constitutional changes were passed nearly unanimously, with only one legislator dissenting.
The presidency cited the need for “consultations” over the contested reforms as the reason for the election delay. This decision follows President Gnassingbé’s recent move to send the disputed law back to parliament for a second reading in response to growing criticism.
