In a move drawing fierce criticism from opposition groups and civil society, Togo’s Parliament on Saturday formally appointed President Faure Gnassingbé as President of the newly established Council of Ministers, a powerful executive body that significantly consolidates his authority.
The appointment, made under recent constitutional reforms, grants Gnassingbé sweeping powers, including the ability to be re-elected by lawmakers for unlimited six-year terms, bypassing a direct popular vote. The position effectively places him above the prime minister and other state institutions, reinforcing his control over both the executive and legislative branches.
Faure Gnassingbé, who has ruled Togo since 2005 following the death of his father Gnassingbé Eyadéma—who had been in power for 38 years—has now overseen two decades of uninterrupted family dominance in the country. The latest constitutional changes, passed by a unicameral parliament dominated by the ruling Union for the Republic (UNIR) party, are being decried by opponents as a “constitutional coup” that further erodes democratic norms in Togo.
A coalition of opposition parties, human rights groups, and civil society organizations announced Monday a campaign to mount both domestic and international pressure on the government to reverse what they see as an authoritarian drift. Peaceful protests, legal challenges, and international lobbying efforts are among the strategies being considered.
Critics argue that the changes set a dangerous precedent in West Africa, a region already destabilized by a wave of military coups and democratic backsliding in Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Niger. They warn that Togo is now joining a trend of civilian-led constitutional manipulations to entrench power under a democratic veneer. The United Nations and the African Union have not yet commented on the developments, but diplomatic observers suggest that Togo could face increased scrutiny from ECOWAS and Western partners, especially if protests escalate or electoral reforms remain stalled.
