Togo protestors rally against constitutional reform amid power concerns

hundreds gather in Vogan to challenge 2024 constitutional amendments

In the southern town of Vogan, hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets on Sunday to voice their opposition to the 2024 constitutional reform in Togo. Organized by the National Framework for Change in Togo (CNCC), a coalition of opposition parties and civil society groups, the protest marked the second major rally in three months. The first gathering, held in early May, drew significantly fewer participants, highlighting the rarity of such mobilizations in the current political climate.

Protesters carried signs with messages such as « No to unconstitutional government changes » and « Constitutional coup », condemning what they perceive as an illegitimate power grab. David Dosseh, spokesperson for the Citizen Front for a Standing Togo (FCTD), one of the driving forces behind the movement, delivered a fiery speech. « The 2024 Constitution is completely illegal. It represents a constitutional coup that the people of Togo will never accept. »

key changes in the 2024 constitutional reform

The newly adopted Constitution, which came into effect last year, introduces sweeping changes to Togo’s political structure. The most controversial shift eliminates direct universal suffrage for presidential elections, replacing it with a parliamentary system. Under this new framework, the highest executive position—the President of the Council—is now held by Faure Gnassingbé, who has led the country since 2005.

Critics argue that the reform is a calculated move to extend Gnassingbé’s grip on power indefinitely. Supporters of the government, however, contend that the amendments enhance institutional representativeness and strengthen democratic processes. Tensions stemming from the reform have already sparked unrest, with civil society reporting seven fatalities during 2025 protests, while prosecutors attribute five deaths to drowning incidents.

calls for accountability and regional backlash

The opposition’s concerns gained traction in January when the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice ruled that the constitutional changes amounted to an « unconstitutional change of government. » The Togolese government swiftly rejected the verdict, asserting that the court overstepped its authority by intervening in domestic constitutional matters. According to officials, the court’s mandate is limited to human rights and community law compliance, excluding jurisdiction over national constitutional disputes.