Togo's contested constitutional reform of 2024, what we know: Video
Togo has sparked political controversy with its 2024 constitutional reform, which shifts the system of government from a presidential to a parliamentary system in which lawmakers, rather than the general population, will elect the nation’s head of state.
The decision has fueled intense opposition from political figures and civil society, with accusations of a constitutional coup and concerns over democratic backsliding.
Opposition cries foul
President of the National Alliance for Change (ANC), Jean-Pierre Fabre expressed strong opposition, calling the move a clear violation of constitutional provisions.
“Enough is enough, it’s over. We’re going to fight. Everyone knows that they violated Articles 52 and 59 (of the constitution),” he declared.
David Dosseh, spokesperson for the Front Citoyen Togo Debout (FCTD), also condemned the reform, likening it to a coup d’état.
“Today, there’s a constitutional coup d’état taking place with impunity in Togo. But this time, we’re not going to accept it,” Dosseh stated emphatically.
Brigitte Kafui Adjamagbo-Johnson, a member of the ‘Don’t Touch My Constitution!’ Front and coordinator of the Democratic Opposition Coalition (DMP), reinforced this sentiment.
“We do not recognise this constitution. However, if they insist and present it to us, our response is very simple,” she said, hinting at continued resistance.
Government defends reform
Despite the uproar, lawmakers from the ruling Union for the Republic (UNIR) party have defended the reforms, arguing they enhance democratic participation and governance.
“Togo has just opened a new page in its march towards a country that is, shall we say, an even more inclusive and participatory democracy,” said Kouméalo Anaté, a lawmaker from President Faure Gnassingbé’s UNIR party.
Sénou Soklingbé, Vice President of the UNIR parliamentary group, dismissed fears that the reform is designed to extend the president’s rule indefinitely.
“No one can say that everything is done to ensure that the President of the Republic, if he were to become the President of the Council tomorrow, remains indefinitely in power. It is the majority of the National Assembly that determines who will be the President of the Council,” Soklingbé explained.
