Togo’s leading opposition party, the National Alliance for Change (ANC), has announced its decision to boycott the country’s inaugural Senate elections, scheduled for February 2. The elections are seen as a pivotal moment in the implementation of a controversial constitutional reform, which critics argue is designed to entrench President Faure Gnassingbé’s grip on power.
The Senate elections are part of a broader constitutional overhaul that dismantles the system of electing the president through universal suffrage and introduces a parliamentary system. The changes, which have sparked intense opposition, have been denounced by critics as undemocratic, with many accusing the government of attempting to consolidate its authority and extend the president’s rule indefinitely.
In a statement released on Saturday, the ANC condemned the upcoming elections, citing a history of fraud and irregularities in previous legislative and regional elections. The party argued that in the absence of guarantees for transparency, the Senate elections would merely be another exercise in political theater, undermining the legitimacy of the electoral process.
The ANC’s position is echoed by the opposition coalition, Dynamique pour la Majorité du Peuple (DMP), which has described the constitutional changes as a “constitutional coup” aimed at perpetuating the ruling family’s political dynasty. President Gnassingbé, who has held power since 2005 after succeeding his father, is facing mounting criticism over the reforms, which have sparked widespread protests from opposition parties and civil society groups.
Opposition leaders argue that the reforms are part of a broader strategy to centralize power and reduce the public’s direct influence in the political process. With political rallies banned since 2022, efforts to challenge the government’s plans have been largely suppressed, further intensifying the already tense political climate in Togo.
As the Senate elections approach, the ANC and other opposition groups remain steadfast in their opposition, vowing to resist what they view as a broader attempt to stifle democracy and entrench an authoritarian regime in the West African nation.