Faure Gnassingbé has taken on a new role in Togo, becoming the "President of the Council of Ministers." This position is now the highest in the executive branch of the government and notably has no term limits. This change comes after a constitutional reform that removed presidential elections and shifted the country to a parliamentary system.
Critics and opposition members are raising alarms, suggesting that this move is designed to enable Gnassingbé to remain in power indefinitely. His family has been in control of Togo for 58 years, with Gnassingbé himself taking over in 2005 after his father, Gnassingbé Eyadéma, who ruled for nearly 40 years.
The recent changes stem from a new constitution approved by lawmakers last year, which many have labeled as an "institutional coup d’état." Although the government had initially paused some of these changes due to public backlash, it has now proceeded with Gnassingbé’s new appointment.
Under the new constitution, the role of the president is largely symbolic. However, analysts believe that Gnassingbé’s power is more solidified than ever with his new position. His party, the Union for the Republic, gained a significant majority in the last parliamentary election, winning 108 out of 113 seats in the National Assembly.
Looking ahead, Togo’s municipal elections in July will be the first held under this new constitutional framework. As the political landscape shifts, many are watching closely to see how these changes will impact governance in Togo.