JetPages

[DW] President Gnassingbe's UNIR party won 108 of the house's 113 seats. The divisive vote followed constitutional amendments earlier this year which could further extend Gnassingbe's 19-year rule.

[RFI] Togo's legislative elections delivered a sweeping majority for the ruling party, the country's electoral commission announced late on Saturday. The results pave the way for President Faure Gnassingbé, already in power for nearly 20 years, to extend his rule under a controversial reform to the constitution that his opponents denounce as an "institutional coup".

[RFI] Opposition groups in Togo have accused authorities of ballot-stuffing in Monday's legislative and regional elections, where vote counting is still underway. Regional observers, however, judged the polls to be free and fair.

[The Conversation Africa] On 25 March 2024, Togo adopted a new constitution that transforms its presidential system into a parliamentary one. Under this new system, parliament has the authority to elect the president of the republic.

[AI London] Authorities in Togo must end their escalating crackdown on human rights including the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly amid political tension around the adoption of changes to the constitution, as Togolese vote in parliamentary and regional elections today, Amnesty International said.

[RFI] Some four million Togolese are to vote Monday for legislative and regional elections that have been twice delayed. Opponents accuse longtime ruler Faure Gnassingbe of seeking to extend his grip on power after MPs signed off on controversial changes to the constitution.

[DW] Amid tensions and accusations of a constitutional coup, Togo heads to the polls next week. The African nation stands at a crossroads of democracy and dissent.

[State Department] On behalf of the people of the United States, I offer congratulations to the people of Togo as you celebrate the 64th anniversary of your nation's independence. The partnership between the United States and Togo remains firmly rooted in the advancement of stability and peace throughout the world. We appreciate your commitment and diplomacy in support of the promotion of resilience in the region.

[ACSS] The ruling party's revision of the Togolese Constitution eliminates universal suffrage for the presidency while effectively shifting to a parliamentary system that evades presidential term limits.

[Agenzia Fides] Lomé -- The situation in Togo remains tense. Opposition parties have joined forces to protest against the new Constitution adopted by the National Assembly on March 25, the text of which was drafted in secret. The new Charter provides for the transition from a presidential to a parliamentary system, with the President no longer elected by the people but by the National Assembly, as well as the creation of the office of prime minister to head the government.

[CPJ] Dakar -- The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes the release of journalist and La Dépêche publishing director Apollinaire Mewenemesse and calls for Togolese authorities to lift the conditions placed on his freedom, drop all charges against him, and cease criminalizing journalism.

[RFI] Togo's opposition has called for a three-day mass protest against the delay of this month's parliamentary elections - due in two weeks - which the government said would allow for a second reading of a contested constitutional reform.

[MFWA] The Media Foundation for West Africa MFWA condemns the detention of Apollinaire Mewenemesse by the police in Togo, and demands the unconditional release of the journalist.

Togo News