Tensions escalate in Togo as West Africa’s regional bloc, ECOWAS, announces the arrival of a delegation expected in the country on Monday.
The delegation, led by Maman Sambo Sidikou, a former head of the African Union’s mission in Mali and the Sahel, aims to engage with key stakeholders regarding the ongoing constitutional reform.
This reform, supported by Togo’s lawmakers, proposes a shift to a parliamentary system, where legislators would elect the president for a six-year term.
However, the opposition views this move as a strategy to prolong President Faure Gnassingbe’s rule, who has been in power since 2005 amid accusations of fraudulent elections.
In response to the growing tensions, Togolese authorities have prohibited planned protests by the opposition and civil society groups, exacerbating the situation.
This comes after a ban on public protests was imposed in 2022 following an attack in the capital Lome that resulted in the death of a gendarme.
With the legislative and regional elections scheduled for April 29, the opposition, which boycotted the last elections in 2018, is now focusing its efforts on mobilizing support for the upcoming polls.
The ruling UNIR party, led by President Gnassingbe, maintains dominance in the National Assembly.
Gnassingbe assumed office in 2005, succeeding his father, who ruled for nearly 38 years following a coup.
As tensions continue to rise, ECOWAS’s intervention seeks to address the concerns surrounding the constitutional reform and ensure a peaceful electoral process.
The delegation’s visit, scheduled until April 20, underscores the regional bloc’s commitment to facilitating dialogue and promoting stability in Togo amidst the political uncertainty.
