The new Togolese Constitution has been promulgated by President Faure Gnassingbé. Is this a new republic for this West African country, or just a cosmetic effect?
The constitutional change in Togo stems from the adoption on April 19th, in a second reading by the National Assembly, of a constitutional revision initiated by parliamentary initiative. Among the changes in the new text is the transition to a parliamentary system, marking a turning point in the country's governance, accompanied by the emergence of the position of President of the Council and the creation of a State Council.
For the presidency, this enactment marks "a new stage in the institutional life" of Togo and in "the strengthening of democracy." The officialization of this new constitutional law will soon appear in the Official Journal of the Togolese Republic.
The Togolese opposition has expressed mixed reactions to the constitutional revision. While some see these changes as a potential step towards more balanced and democratic governance, others remain skeptical about the real effectiveness of implementing these reforms.
The main opposition parties have highlighted that, despite the transition to a parliamentary regime, the mechanisms for control and balance of powers remain insufficient to truly limit executive power. They fear that the new system will perpetuate the dominant authority of the ruling party without ensuring a real political alternation.
Moreover, some opposition leaders have criticized the process by which the constitutional revision was adopted, describing it as rushed and lacking inclusive consultations with all segments of Togolese society. They call for more solid guarantees for the conduct of free and fair elections, as well as deeper reforms that would include an overhaul of the national electoral commission to ensure its independence and impartiality.
Thus, the opposition maintains a cautious stance and calls for concrete actions to ensure that the changes are not merely cosmetic but lead to a tangible improvement in democracy in the country.
