Constitutional Reforms: Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé To Rule 26yrs After Father’s 38yrs Reign

Constitution Reforms: Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé To Rule For 26 years After Father’s 38 years Reign

• President Gnassingbé came to power in 2005 after the death of his father, who had been president since 1967.
• The constitutional transformation was okayed by legislators last month amid mounting public anger, which made Mr Gnassingbé to say the move would be subject to further consultations.
• Togo’s political structure will change from presidential to parliamentary if the new constitution gain public acceptance.

A new constitution that extends the President’s term has been approved by the Togolese parliament, following the variety of violent protests by people calling for a coup.

Togo’s political structure will change from presidential to parliamentary if the new constitution gain public acceptance.

Supporters of President Faure Gnassingbé allegedly said that the change would reduce his authority by making the presidency merely a ceremonial position.

On the contrary, oppositions countered that the reforms lift restrictions on his term in office.

Their removal would enable him to remain president until 2031 and continue as prime minister in what look like family business of a 57-year rule.

President Gnassingbé came to power in 2005 after the death of his father, who had been president since 1967.

The constitutional transformation was okayed by legislators last month amid mounting public anger, which made Mr Gnassingbé to say the move would be subject to further consultations.