By:Efo Mawugbe (Back from Lome)
Togolese Opposition Leader, Dr. Jean Gnagnon has expressed grave worry over the political situation in Togo.
He said the autocratic rule of President Faure Gnassingbe coupled with non-democratic tendencies in the country leave much to be desired.
Togolese Opposition Leader, Dr. Jean Gnagnon
The Leader of Togolese Movement for Restoration (MTR), made the statement in an exclusive interview with Efo Mawugbe in Lome on Saturday January 31, 2026).
“The constitutional changes in Togo by the President is very bad. They undermine peace”, Dr. Gnagnon stressed.
In 2024, Togo’s parliament voted a constitutional change allowing President Faure Gnassingbe, whose family has ruled the small West African country since 1967, to run two more times and potentially remain in power until 2030.
The amendments also introduced a parliamentary system of government and shortened presidential terms to four years from five with a two-term limit.
The amendment however did not take into account the time already spent in office, which could enable Gnassingbe to stay in power until 2033.
These constitutional changes according to the opposition leader, is counter-productive to the development of the country, urging all the citizens and the International community to intervene.
He said, he is determined to continue with his engagements with African and world Leaders to ensure that democracy returns to the country, once referred to as “petit France”.
He urged all citizens of Lome, both home and abroad to be steadfast and hopeful of a return to democracy which he said would happen sooner than later.
Dr. Jean-Emmanuel Gnagnon is a Togolese politician and the leader/presidential candidate of the Togolese Movement for Restoration (MTR). He is known for advocating democratic reforms in Togo.
He traveled to Ghana in June 2024 to seek support to address political crises and constitutional changes in his country.
Source:www.senaradioonline.com
