Togolese to vote on presidential term limits

Togo will hold a referendum in the coming days to limit presidential terms, after parliament failed on Tuesday to agree the reform that the opposition says would still let Faure Gnassingbe remain head of state for years.  Announcing the decision to put the constitutional changes to a popular vote, parliament head Drama Dramani told lawmakers: […]

Togo will hold a referendum in the coming days to limit presidential terms, after parliament failed on Tuesday to agree the reform that the opposition says would still let Faure Gnassingbe remain head of state for years. 

Announcing the decision to put the constitutional changes to a popular vote, parliament head Drama Dramani told lawmakers: “You have voted for the revision of the constitution but it’s the people who will decide, by referendum, in the next few days.” 

Even though 62 of 63 lawmakers present backed the bill to set a 2-term limit on the presidency, an opposition boycott meant the vote fell short of the four-fifths majority required to change the constitution. 

They are angry that the measure does not include a clause that would make Gnassingbe’s ongoing presidency illegal and, with the possibility of two more 5-year terms, could leave him in power until 2030.