Opposition leaders and disenfranchised citizens called Wednesday for protests against a new constitution that would prolong the tenure of authoritarian President Faure Gnassingbé.
Activists and opposition leaders in the West African country of Togo called on Wednesday for protests to stop the country's president from signing off on a new constitution that would scrap future presidential elections and could extend his decades-long rule until 2031.
The constitution also extends presidential terms from five to six years but the almost 20-years that Gnassingbe has served in office, after taking over from his father, would not count towards that tally. The opposition and the clergy say the legislation is an effort by Gnassingbe to prolong his rule, and have promised to stop it from becoming law by calling on the people to rise up and protest.
Togo, a nation of around 8 million people, has been ruled by same family for 57 years, initially by Eyadema Gnassingbe and subsequently by his son. Faure Gnassingbe has been in office since 2005 after winning elections that the opposition described as a sham.
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