In Togo, the opposition has denounced the controversial appointment of the President of the Republic as head of a new powerful executive body.
Reports indicated that Faure Gnassingbé, who has been in power since 2005 following the death of his father, was granted the new title of President of the Council of Ministers by Parliament on Saturday but has met hostility from the opposition.
Gnassingbé holds increased powers, including the possibility of being re-elected indefinitely for six-year terms by the MPs.
Opponents fear that this decision taken by the Togolese government could jeopardize the state’s democracy. The appointment has been condemned as a “constitutional coup,” which adds up to the dangers of the region heavily plagued by coups.
A coalition of political parties and civil society groups in Togo pledged on Monday to ramp up both national and international pressure on President Faure Gnassingbé.
