Togo Parliament Passes Constitutional Reforms: Changes Presidential System To Parliamentary System Of Governance

The Parliament of Togo, a West African nation, has recently approved constitutional reforms. The approved amendments have caused controversy, with concerns raised regarding their implications for presidential term limits and the overall democratic process in the nation.

Perhaps the most significant change is the transition from a presidential system to a parliamentary system of governance. Under this new system, parliamentary groups will present candidates for the presidency, and the president will be elected by members of parliament rather than through universal suffrage.

The reforms bring a reduction in the presidential term from five years to four, with a two-term limit. The reforms also created the position of President of the Council of Ministers, which is akin to a Prime Minister in parliamentary systems. Notably, the reforms do not include provisions accounting for the time already spent in office by the incumbent president. This omission has raised concerns about the potential for President Faure Gnassingbe to extend his tenure until 2033 if re-elected in 2025, as there is no explicit limit on the number of terms he can serve.

Opposition politicians and civil society groups have voiced concerns that the constitutional reforms could serve as a means for President Gnassingbé and his party to prolong their stay in power. The Gnassingbé family has maintained a grip on power in Togo for over five decades, with President Gnassingbé succeeding his father, Gnassingbé Eyadema, who ruled the country for 38 years.

The approval of the constitutional reforms has sparked a backlash from opposition groups, including the Dynamique Pour la Majorité du Peuple (DMP) coalition, who have labelled the changes as a "constitutional coup."

Other African Countries

Several other African countries have experienced similar situations where constitutional amendments or legal changes have been made to extend presidential terms or consolidate power within ruling parties.

In 2015, the Republic of the Congo held a constitutional referendum that removed term limits for the presidency, allowing President Denis Sassou Nguesso to seek and win re-election in 2016.

In 2015, Rwanda held a referendum that amended the Constitution to allow President Paul Kagame to run for a third term in office. President Kagame, who has been in power since 2000, won re-election in 2017 amidst criticism from opposition groups and human rights organizations.

In 2016, Ivory Coast held a referendum that approved changes to the Constitution, including the creation of a vice presidency and the removal of age and term limits for the presidency. President Alassane Ouattara, who has been in power since 2010, won re-election in 2020 amidst opposition boycotts and criticism.

In 2020, Guinea held a controversial referendum that approved changes to the Constitution, allowing President Alpha Condé to run for a third term in office. In 2021, the Central African Republic held a constitutional referendum that approved changes to the Constitution, including the elimination of term limits for the presidency.