Togo split over reform on eve of election

Togo on Monday holds legislative elections after a highly divisive constitutional reform that opponents say paves the way for President Faure Gnassingbe to further extend his family’s decades-long grip on power. At the helm of the small West African country for nearly 20 years, Faure Gnassingbe succeeded his father Gnassingbe Eyadema, who ruled for almost four decades.

Critics say the political dynasty’s hold on the small West African nation will be extended by the reform. People on the streets of the seaside capital Lome were split over the election, the role of Togo’s leader, and who it should be. Building painter Komlan Gato said he hoped the vote could usher in a new leader but was unsure about the fairness of the ballot.

“I am certain that if these elections are transparent, there will be change in this country. We are tired of seeing the same family in power,” he said. “I was born in January 1970 and I only know the Gnassingbe family in power.”

The reform, adopted by lawmakers on April 19, makes the president’s post a largely ceremonial one. The president will now be elected by parliament and not the people for a four-year term. Power will reside with the president of the council of ministers, a sort of super-prime minister who happens to be the leader of the majority party in the new assembly.

If the ruling Union for the Republic (UNIR) party — which has an overwhelming parliamentary majority — wins on Monday, Gnassingbe can assume the new post.

Critics say that will allow him to skip presidential term limits. As president he would have been able only to run for one more five-year term in an election next year.

The opposition boycotted the last elections in 2018, citing irregularities. But they have asked supporters to turn out massively to challenge the UNIR’S stranglehold on power.

“The youth are desperate. The country is poorly managed and we are tired of the system in place,” said trader Ayaovi Sohou, 32.

Bernado Agbve, a baker, 28, called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to “publish results from the polls: good results and not fictitious results”.

Gnassingbe has been re-elected four times since being put in power in 2005 by the military to succeed his father after his sudden death. Each of the votes was rejected as a sham by the opposition.

For Elvire Atchou, Gnassingbe should be allowed to continue.