US EditionTogo: Faure Gnassingbé, President of the Council under the new Constitution
- On Saturday, Faure Gnassingbé was inaugurated as the head of the newly established highest executive authority in Togo’s government.
- This change followed constitutional reforms last year that ended presidential elections and gave Parliament power to appoint the Council president.
- The presidency was made symbolic under Jean-Lucien Savi de Tov, while Gnassingbé’s Council role has no term limits and consolidates his authority.
- The opposition coalition called the move a “constitutional coup” and warned it extends a 58-year family rule with more entrenched power.
- The appointment signals a potential democratic backslide in Togo as Gnassingbé gains indefinite control through a new parliamentary system.
29 Articles
29 Articles
The country has moved into a parliamentary regime this early May. Opponents declare a facade to keep the Gnassingbe clan in power without going through the ballot box.
Togo's opposition denounces new role of the country's leader as a 'constitutional coup'
A coalition of political parties and civil society groups in Togo has vowed to step up domestic and international pressure on President Faure Gnassingbe following his controversial appointment over the weekend as head of a powerful new executive body.
The Straits Times
Times LiveTogo leader gets new role without term limits, opposition calls it a coup
LOME - Togo leader Faure Gnassingbe has been given the powerful new role of President of the Council of Ministers which has no fixed term limit, parliament said - a move the opposition called a constitutional coup that could extend his rule for life. Read more at straitstimes.com.
The Togolese leader became President of the Council of Ministers on Saturday, May 3, a tailor-made post to maintain his leadership.
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