Togo’s 20 April parliamentary elections postponed indefinitely amid constitutional controversy

Togo’s government has postponed legislative elections initially scheduled for 20 April to a later, unspecified date, citing “consultations” that were needed over the changes that triggered opposition to the proposed reforms.
The government of the West African nation announced the move on Wednesday (3 April) shortly after lawmakers approved the highly controversial constitutional reforms. “Consultations” were needed, a statement said, over the amendment adopted by parliament in March that triggered opposition claims the reforms aimed to keep President Faure Gnassingbe in power for an indefinite period of time. “The National Assembly wished to have some days to engage in broad consultations with all stakeholders,” the statement added, which will lead to “a slight rearrangement of the calendar of legislative and regional elections initially scheduled for April 20.”
In office since 2005 after succeeding his father, General Gnassingbe Eyadema, who seized power in a coup five decades ago, Gnassingbe Jr. has won every election, whose result has, however, always been disputed by the opposition due to irregularities. The new law adopted by Togo’s parliament, dominated by Gnassingbe’s UNIR party, aims to transition the West African country from a presidential to a parliamentary system, further fueling concerns over Gnassingbe’s bid for indefinite rule. US officials have repeatedly asked Gnassingbe to ensure that the situation is settled “peacefully and democratically.”