Togo protests erupt after Constitutional changes extend Faure Gnassingbé’s grip on power

Protests are set to continue in Togo this Friday, following the government's adoption of a new constitution that allows long-time leader Faure Gnassingbé to remain in power indefinitely, now in the role of prime minister. At least five demonstrators have died in recent weeks during confrontations with security forces in the capital, Lomé.

The new constitutional framework, introduced in early 2024 without a public referendum, transfers all executive authority to the prime minister and reduces the presidency to a ceremonial role. Faure Gnassingbé, who has ruled since 2005, was officially installed as prime minister in May. The new president, 86-year-old Jean-Lucien Savi de Tové, was selected by the legislature.

Critics say the changes allow Gnassingbé to retain control without facing future elections. The Union pour la République (Unir) party, which dominates the national assembly, remains firmly in power due to electoral boundaries that favor its northern support base.

Protests have largely been led by young people, artists, and online activists, rather than the traditional opposition, which performed poorly in recent local elections. Government officials maintain the election was fair and argue that demonstrations must remain lawful.

Opposition groups and activists continue to call for reform and transparency.

Related articles

Protesters in Togo call for return to previous constitution

Togo: President's sister-in-law, a former defence minister, arrested

From the same country

Togo's sacred Voodoo stone augers year of peace and prosperity

Lomé summer camp teaches Togo's children to code and build robots

Togo reforms unconstitutional, rules ECOWAS court

01:25

Protesters in Togo call for return to previous constitution

Togo: President's sister-in-law, a former defence minister, arrested

02:17

Togo's sacred Voodoo stone augers year of peace and prosperity

02:04

Lomé summer camp teaches Togo's children to code and build robots

01:09

Togo reforms unconstitutional, rules ECOWAS court

01:25

Protesters in Togo call for return to previous constitution

Togo: President's sister-in-law, a former defence minister, arrested

02:17

Togo's sacred Voodoo stone augers year of peace and prosperity

02:04

Lomé summer camp teaches Togo's children to code and build robots

01:09

Togo reforms unconstitutional, rules ECOWAS court

NO COMMENT 01:00 France: crowds fill Marseille's Old Port in anti-racism protest

NO COMMENT

01:00

Serbia: crowds celebrate in Belgrade after Vučić admits defeat

NEWS 01:12 Over 1,000 arrested in France after a day of mostly peaceful protests

NEWS Go to video France deploys 70,000 police, shuts Paris museums ahead of protests

NEWS Go to video Foreign national beaten to death by mob in Durban, South Africa

NEWS 00:59 United Nations condemns drone strikes on civilians and infrastructure in Sudan

Ethiopia

Ethiopia: At least 60 Christians killed in attacks in Oromia region

00:53 Tanzania Tanzania's jailed opposition leader Tundu Lissu begins hunger strike

01:13 Israel Israelis vote in pivotal election as Netanyahu faces challenge from Eisenkot