Togo's New Political Shift: Gnassingbé's Indefinite Rule Looms

The recent appointment of Faure Gnassingbé as "President of the Council of Ministers" raises concerns over potential life-long rule as constitutional reforms eliminate presidential elections in Togo.

Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé has officially taken office as the "President of the Council of Ministers," a title that places him at the pinnacle of the executive branch with no defined term limits. This development comes after significant constitutional revisions that have replaced the presidential election system with a parliamentary structure, a shift that critics say is designed to perpetuate Gnassingbé's power indefinitely.

The Gnassingbé family has maintained a hold on Togo's leadership for 58 years, with Faure assuming the presidency in 2005 after his father, Gnassingbé Eyadéma, who led for nearly 40 years. Opposition voices have decried the recent changes as an "institutional coup d'état," contending that they aim to cement Gnassingbé's authority.

Originally, significant modifications to the constitution faced a backlash and were paused by the government, but the role of council president is now a reality. With municipal elections scheduled in July, this marks the first poll under the new parliamentary constitution. Although the nominal role of the republic's president has become largely ceremonial, analysts observe that this new council position enhances Gnassingbé's influence substantially.

Notably, his party, the Union for the Republic, commands a strong majority in the National Assembly, having secured 108 out of 113 parliamentary seats in the last elections, further solidifying their dominance in Togo's political landscape. As such, Gnassingbé's ascension to this new role represents not just a change in title, but a pivotal moment in Togo's governance trajectory.