Togo’s President Gnassingbe Positions for Extended Tenure in Leadership

Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbe is poised to assume the role of president of the council of ministers, a newly established position under the new constitution, enabling him to prolong his 19-year reign.

The fresh constitution implemented a parliamentary system of governance and instituted the position of the president of the council of ministers, granting substantial authority to oversee the government’s affairs.

Civil service minister Gilbert Bawara revealed that Gnassingbe has been selected by the UNIR ruling party as their nominee for the role. Togo has encountered opposition to the Gnassingbe family’s leadership, with the president initially elected in 2005 to succeed his father who came to power in a coup in 1967.

If appointed, there won’t be any term limits, as the new constitution permits a four-year term that can be renewed once.