Togo's long-standing leader, Gnassingbe, secures his power position through a title change.
Rewritten Article
In a controversial move, Togo's long-reigning leader, Faure Gnassingbe, shifted gears and took the oath as the Chairman of the Council of Ministers on Saturday, wrapping up a contentious constitutional reform critics view as an extension of his rule.
Gnassingbe, who inherited power after his father Eyadema Gnassingbe's death in 2005, stepped into Togo's highest executive position following last year's reform, reportedly an AFP journalist present during the ceremony.
Opponents argue that Togo's transition from a presidential government to a parliamentary system, enacted in May 2024 and concluded by Saturday's swearing-in, is a ploy for Gnassingbe to tighten his grip on power.
The former President of the Republic role, diminished to a ceremonial position, has been replaced with the Chairman of the Council of Ministers position, an executive role. Notably, Gnassingbe's Union for the Republic party (UNIR) swept parliamentary and Senate seats last year, securing a majority that places him in a strong position to retain the Chairman post.
Moreover, the UNIR won a majority of Senate seats in the latest elections, despite opposition parties boycotting the vote. Foreign correspondents were denied accreditation to cover these elections, adding to suspicions of electoral irregularities. However, the main opposition parties have announced their participation in the upcoming municipal elections scheduled for July 10.
Critics deride the reform as an "authoritarian change" designed to facilitate Gnassingbe's continued rule. With his family leading Togo for nearly six decades, many see the reform as a maneuver to preserve power.
The shift in power structure sees the President of the Republic's role transform into a largely ceremonial position, reducing its influence, while the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, drawn from the majority party in the National Assembly, wields executive authority. Given the UNIR's overwhelming parliamentary and Senate presence, it's likely that this position will remain under Gnassingbe's control[1][3][4].
Public outcry and opposition protests have expressed concerns about democratic erosion and manipulation of the political system to favor the ruling party[1][2]. The opposition's skepticism stems from Gnassingbe's party's dominant performance in previous elections, particularly the National Assembly where they secured 108 out of 113 seats[3]. The absence of foreign correspondents during these elections has further fueled fears of unfair practices[3].
Despite their reservations about the current system, main opposition parties have hinted at participating in upcoming municipal elections, signaling a potential strategic shift to engage with the new political structure while continuing to challenge what they perceive as authoritarian policies.
Overall, Gnassingbe's constitutional reform has reconfigured Togo's political landscape by concentratng executive power in the hands of the ruling party leader, despite widespread opposition accusations of power manipulation and democratic backsliding.
[1]: Background of Faure Gnassingbé’s Constitutional Reform[2]: Togo’s ruling party wins legislative vote in power-extending boost for Gnassingbe[3]: Controversy Surrounding the Reform[4]: Impact on the Political Landscape
- Faure Gnassingbe, the executive leader of Togo, will mantain his grip on power beyond 2024, as the controversial constitutional reform he spearheaded in May 2024 has transformed the President role into a ceremonial position, while he assumes the executive role of Chairman of the Council of Ministers.
- In 2024, Togo transitioned from a presidential government to a parliamentary system, a move that critics denounce as Gnassingbe's ploy to extend his rule, as he holds the majority in the Parliament and Senate through his Union for the Republic party (UNIR).
- Critics claim the constitutional reform of 2024, which restructured Togo's politics, represented an authoritarian change designed to keep Gnassingbe in the highest executive position of the Republic until at least the general-news events unfolding in the political landscape of Togo.
