A spokesperson for an opposition coalition revealed on Thursday that nine Togolese politicians, who were actively campaigning against a proposed new constitution that could potentially extend President Faure Gnassingbe’s 19-year rule, have been detained.
In the small West African nation known for phosphate production, opposition voices are intensifying against constitutional reforms that could alter the presidential election process.
According to spokesperson Thomas Nsoukpoe, some members of the opposition coalition were apprehended on Wednesday afternoon while engaging in campaign activities against the constitution at a market in the outskirts of the Togolese capital, Lome.
Additional arrests occurred during a nighttime gathering at the residence of a coalition member.
The campaign against the new constitution gained momentum after its adoption by the national assembly, which extends presidential terms from five to six years while restricting the number of terms to one.
The revised constitution also transitions to a parliamentary system of government, replacing direct presidential elections with an indirect process through members of parliament.
Critics argue that the new constitution overlooks previous presidential terms, potentially enabling President Gnassingbe to remain in power until 2031 if re-elected in 2025.
In response to opposition voices, the president’s office on Wednesday announced nationwide consultations regarding the constitution’s revision and delayed parliamentary and regional elections initially slated for April 20.
Several political parties condemned the decision, calling for demonstrations on April 11, 12, and 13.
They asserted that the electoral campaign had already commenced, making it legally untenable to suspend it merely through an announcement.
“As the electorate has been convened by decree, it is not possible to suspend the electoral campaign and postpone the elections by means of a simple announcement,” they said in a statement on Thursday.
Melissa Enoch
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