Adoption of new Togolese constitution was ‘imperative’: National Assembly VP - Video
Togo’s Vice President of the National Assembly, Myriam Dossou d'Almeida, has described the adoption of the country’s new constitution as essential for stability and progress.
In an interview with Global South World, Dossou d'Almeida highlighted the importance of the recent constitutional amendment, which eliminates universal suffrage in presidential elections. According to her, the shift to a parliamentary election system for the presidency was necessary to stabilise the nation's political and social framework.
“It was important to stabilise the political and social framework,” Dossou d'Almeida stated. “In recent years, we have been able to observe unconstitutional changes in the subregion that are not likely to promote economic development and the development of human capital.”
The reform further consolidates the rule of President Faure Gnassingbé, who has governed Togo since 2005 after succeeding his father, General Gnassingbé Eyadéma. The Gnassingbé family has held power for nearly six decades, and the new constitutional setup allows this legacy to potentially continue.
Dossou d'Almeida, however, emphasised that the reforms aim to benefit the Togolese people. “All the reforms aim to build peace and consolidate the well-being and quality of life of Togolese people,” she explained.
