Togo’s parliament has given final approval to a new constitution that extends the president’s term in office, after critics branded the measure a coup.
The West African country will transition from a presidential to a parliamentary system.
President Faure Gnassingbé’s supporters claim the changes reduce his powers by turning the presidency into a ceremonial role.
But the opposition said the reforms would remove restrictions on his term in office.
Their resignation would allow him to remain president until 2031, they said, after which he would be appointed to the new position of “president of the council of ministers” – effectively prime minister – continuing his family’s 57-year rule.
President Gnassingbé came to power in 2005 after the death of his father, who had been president since 1967.
The constitutional amendments were approved by lawmakers last month. But in the face of growing public anger, Gnassingbé halted the reforms and said further consultations would take place.
Human Rights Minister Yawa Djigbodi Tségan had said the move “will improve democracy in the country.”
But former presidential candidate Brigitte Kafui Johnson, who leads the opposition party CDPA, had described the constitutional changes as a “power grab.”
In recent weeks, pro-government lawmakers have made visits across the country, which they said were aimed at “listening to citizens and informing them about the constitutional reforms.”
Customary rulers and selected groups were among the main targets of the discussions, but no changes were made as a result.
There is widespread fear about publicly expressing views in case they are targeted by authorities, in light of the police crackdown on anti-government protests.
Last month, an opposition press conference under the banner of ‘Don’t Touch My Constitution’ was interrupted by police armed with batons.
