Protesters demand return to previous Constitution

Protesters in Togo are calling for a return to the country’s previous Constitution, reports africanews. Changes adopted in 2024 established a parliamentary system, handing executive power to the President of the Council of Ministers, a post now held by former President, Faure Gnassingbé. ‘The constitutional change that took place in Togo in 2024 is completely illegal; it is a constitutional coup d’état,' David Dosseh, spokesperson for the civil society organisation Front Citoyen Togo Debout, said. Last month, the Ecowas Court of Justice ruled that the reform contravenes the country’s democratic principles, calling it an ‘unconstitutional change of government. While not legally binding, the opposition is hoping the ruling will mobilise the public. ‘It’s the awakening of our fellow citizens, because when you’re in a dictatorship, it’s only through the awakening of the population that things change,’ said Maitre Dodji Apevon, president of the Democratic Force for the Republic Gnassingbé. The position of national President is now mostly ceremonial and is limited to one six-year term.

Full africanews report