As Togo prepares to mark its 65th independence anniversary on April 27, mounting political tensions are casting a shadow over what is usually a moment of national unity. Opposition parties and civil society groups are planning parallel demonstrations in the capital, Lomé, to protest proposed constitutional reforms they say could consolidate authoritarian rule.
The government is organizing official celebrations, including military parades, public speeches, and cultural events to honor Togo’s 1960 break from French colonial rule. However, a coalition of opposition forces, led by the Dynamic for the Majority of the People (DMP) and the Alliance of Democrats for Integral Development (ADDI), has called for a mass public rally on the same day.
Their primary grievance is the government’s push to usher in a Fifth Republic, with critics warning the reform could eliminate direct presidential elections and further entrench the power of President Faure Gnassingbé, who has ruled since 2005. The new constitution—recently adopted by the National Assembly but awaiting final promulgation—proposes a parliamentary system in which the president is elected by lawmakers instead of by popular vote.
“We are calling on citizens to peacefully defend democracy and prevent the institutionalization of a political monarchy,” said Brigitte Kafui Adjamagbo-Johnson, a prominent opposition leader. She emphasized that the planned demonstration will be peaceful and constitutionally protected. The proposed changes follow controversial legislative elections held earlier this month, which the opposition claims were marred by irregularities and lack of transparency. These elections paved the way for the ruling Union for the Republic (UNIR) party to maintain legislative dominance, potentially allowing it to shape the political system without broad consensus.
Security forces have been deployed in key areas of Lomé, and the government has warned that unauthorized gatherings will not be tolerated. Civil society leaders and international observers have urged restraint, calling for dialogue to prevent the situation from escalating into violence. Political analysts caution that the simultaneous commemorative and protest events could deepen societal divisions. “Independence Day should be a time for unity, but the current constitutional standoff risks turning it into a flashpoint,” said Dr. Komi Gaba, a political science lecturer at the University of Lomé.
As Togo stands at a crossroads, the 65th anniversary of its independence could become a defining moment—not only in commemorating its past, but also in shaping its democratic future.
