Togo's President Enacts Constitution to End Presidential Elections

Faure Gnassingbe's new constitutional changes could cement his family's rule, eliminating direct presidential elections and increasing control over political processes.

• The new constitution allows the parliament, dominated by Gnassingbe's party, to select the president, bypassing public voting.
• Presidential terms extended to six years with a one-time limit, but previous years in office for Gnassingbe do not count towards this limit.
• Civil society and opposition groups mobilize for protests, demanding a return to democratic norms and a free election in 2025.
• Government crackdowns intensify, with bans on protests and arrests of opposition figures, alongside restrictions on media and election observers.
• The introduction of a prime minister-like figure, selected by the ruling party, raises concerns about further consolidation of power.

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