Togo’s government has announced the postponement of the legislative elections slated for April 20, citing the need for further consultations following the approval of highly contentious constitutional reforms. The decision comes amidst mounting tensions over amendments that opposition groups allege are designed to extend President Faure Gnassingbe’s hold on power in the West African nation, home to nine million people.
President Gnassingbe, who ascended to office in 2005 following his father’s fifty-year rule, has consistently emerged victorious in elections despite opposition claims of electoral irregularities. The recent constitutional reform, which would transition Togo from a presidential to a parliamentary system, grants the National Assembly the authority to elect the president for a single six-year term, raising concerns among critics about the potential for indefinite rule by the incumbent leader.
In response to widespread apprehension and protests over the proposed reforms, President Gnassingbe referred the law back to the National Assembly for further deliberation, prompting the government to announce a delay in the electoral calendar. The statement issued by the presidency indicated that the National Assembly sought additional time for comprehensive consultations with all stakeholders before proceeding with the elections initially scheduled for April 20. However, no new date for the ballot was provided.
The decision to postpone the elections was met with a mix of reactions, with opposition parties yet to offer immediate responses. Tensions escalated following the announcement, with reports of police intervention at an opposition news conference and the arrest of a Togolese newspaper editor, raising concerns about a potential crackdown on dissenting voices in the lead-up to the elections.
Internationally, US officials have urged President Gnassingbe to ensure a peaceful and democratic resolution to the current situation, as domestic and international pressure mounts on the Togolese government to address the grievances raised by opposition groups and civil society.