Opposition party in Togo rejects ‘power grabbing’ constitutional reforms, courts support to end political crisis

Togo’s opposition party Movement for Restoration (MTR) says it will never accept the constitutional reforms approved recently by the Togolese Parliament.

The new constitution leaves the election of the president to Parliament without any public input, a move that has been widely described as undemocratic.

Leader and presidential candidate of MTR, Dr. Jean-Emmanuel Gnagnon, is in Ghana to court support for the cause of the Togolese people in an attempt to end the political crisis in the country.

“We are from a country where democracy is facing a big challenge and if we don’t engage ourselves more, we cannot have solution to this situation. What is happening now in Togo is something very surprising and this is anti-democratic.”

“All the population of Togo do not agree to that. We [MTR] believe that this creates crisis in the country, and we are obliged now to find ways and means to find solution to this,’ Dr. Gnagnon said at a press briefing in Accra on Tuesday, June 11, 2024.

Dr. Gnagnon and his vice president, Advocate Brice Afatsawo-Kpotor, are on a mission to rally international support against the recent constitutional changes in Togo, which they believe undermine democracy and the people’s right to elect their leader.

They have expressed disapproval of the new legislation, which grants Parliament the power to elect the president, effectively denying citizens their right to vote.

“We are just sad to see now that [the current president] is changing the constitution to engage himself in something like everlasting ruling and we think that is not acceptable,” the MTR leader added.

Leadership of the Togolese Movement for Restoration plans to meet with key stakeholders in Ghana, adding that international pressure can help reverse the constitutional changes and ensure a democratic and inclusive political process in the country.

The recent constitutional amendments, adopted by Togolese lawmakers on March 25, have sparked controversy and opposition from various quarters.

The changes introduce a parliamentary system, where the president will be elected by lawmakers for a single six-year term, without public input.

The president’s powers will be significantly reduced, with the president of the council of ministers assuming full authority and accountability for managing the government.

“In the last constitution, the citizens voted directly for the election of the president but, in the new system, the citizens will not vote directly for the president’s election. We will continue reflecting to see if ECOWAS will have a good interest in the Togo matter,” Dr. Gnagnon stated.

The MTR, launched on February 24, 2024, is a progressive socialist party that prioritises citizen responsibility, tolerance, social justice and shared prosperity.

As the next elections approach, the party says it is positioning itself as a champion of political restoration, the rule of law and human rights in Togo.

By seeking support from Ghana and other international partners, Dr. Gnagnon and the MTR aim to build a strong coalition to challenge the forces in Togo and ensure a brighter future for the Togolese people.

The post Opposition party in Togo rejects ‘power grabbing’ constitutional reforms, courts support to end political crisis first appeared on 3News.

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