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President Faure Gnassingbé sent the controversial bill again for the consideration of Parliament for a second reading, alibi reconsideration. Earlier, on March 25, Parliament passed the legislation, which caused public discontent and protests
The Togolese presidency announced that the controversial constitutional reform bill would be tabled again in Parliament as there was public discontent on how it was framed and set to be implemented. Recently, the office of President Faure Gnassingbé sent the controversial bill again for the consideration of Parliament for a second reading, alibi reconsideration. Earlier, on March 25, Parliament passed the legislation, which caused public discontent and protests.
Opponents alleged that the legislation was a ploy to consolidate Gnassingbe’s domination over the structure of power in Togo. He has been ruling the country since 2005. The proposed Constitution grants parliament the power to choose the president and do away with direct elections. This makes it likely that Gnassingbé will be re-elected when his mandate expires in 2025.
Instead of a renewable 5-year term, the proposed bill restricts the power of future presidents and introduces a one-term limit. Instead, it hands over greater power to a figure similar to a prime minister, officially called the president of the council of ministers. But opposition fears the role could become another avenue for Gnassingbé to extend his grip on power.
Activists and opposition leaders in Togo resorted to protests and urged the president not to sign the new constitution. This demand was endorsed by the powerful Catholic clergy. While President Faure Gnassingbé remanded the proposed legislation for a review technically called second reading, activists want to drop the repugnant legislation altogether. The vote for the controversial Constitution comes ahead of parliamentary and regional elections.
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Some 4.2 million Togolese are registered to vote on April 20th. It is unclear when lawmakers will start the second reading and if there will be amendments to the adopted bill. The date on which the constitutional reform will take effect has not been communicated either.
