Opponents of the change fear it could lead to a further extension of President Faure Nyasambe's rule.
Togo's parliamentarians have approved constitutional changes related to presidential term limits and how the president is selected, which some opposition politicians and civil society groups have denounced as a constitutional coup.
Togo's parliament had already adopted the amendments on March 25, but the reforms prompted opposition opposition, prompting President Faure Gnassingbé to call for further consultations and a second vote in parliament.
Lawmakers gave final approval to the reforms late Friday, days before April 29 parliamentary elections, which had also been postponed due to issues surrounding constitutional amendments.
At the second reading, all 87 politicians present agreed to the new system and it was passed, meaning that the president would be elected by members of parliament rather than by universal suffrage.
This amendment also introduced a parliamentary cabinet system and shortened the presidential term from five to four years with a two-term limit.
This already does not take into account the length of time in office, so if Gunasingbe is re-elected in 2025, he could remain in power until 2033, which is unlikely given his party's control of parliament. That's a very high scenario.
Opponents of the change fear it could extend the president's 19-year rule and his family's grip on power. His father and predecessor, Gunasingbe Eyadema, seized power in the West African coastal nation in a 1967 coup.
In a statement on Saturday, the opposition coalition National Movement (DMP) and other signatories said the constitutional amendment was a political ploy to allow Mr Gnassingbé to extend his term for life.
“What happened in Parliament yesterday is a coup,” they said.
“Massive actions will be organized in the coming days to say 'no' to this constitution.”
“To maintain power by any means necessary”
“Togo has just turned a new page towards a more inclusive and participatory democracy. This is a source of satisfaction and pride for us,” said Koumearo, a lawmaker from Gunasingbe's ruling UNIR party. – Anate told reporters after Friday's vote.
But in a joint statement released this week, 17 civil society organizations said the amendments amounted to “a plan to seize power…by a regime that systematically opposes all forms of democratic change.” They also called on West Africa's main political and economic bloc, ECOWAS, to take action.
“Over time it has been shown that his government's main concern is to retain power by any means necessary,” opposition Togolese party leader Nathaniel Olimpio told AFP news agency before the vote. ” he said.
“We believe that logically this is his own position, since the office of council president gives someone the freedom to exercise unlimited power.”
Several other African countries, including the Central African Republic, Rwanda, the Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast and Guinea, have made changes to their constitutions and other laws in recent years to allow presidents to serve longer terms.
There have also been eight military coups in the past three years in the West and Central African region.
Violent police crackdowns on political demonstrations were common under Gnassingbe's government, just as they were during his father's long rule.
Faure Gnassingbé was last re-elected in a 2020 landslide contested by the opposition.
The new constitution also created a new role, the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, with broad powers to manage government affairs.
