Togo: protesters rally against 2024 constitutional reform

Opposition voices unite in Vogan against contested constitutional changes

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Vogan, southern Togo, on Sunday to voice their opposition to the 2024 constitutional amendments. Critics argue these changes pave the way for President Faure Gnassingbé to extend his decades-long grip on power.

The protest, organized by the National Framework for Change in Togo (CNCC), a coalition of opposition parties and civil society groups, took place roughly 60 kilometers from Lomé. This marks the second major rally by the coalition in three months, following an earlier demonstration in early May. Opposition-led protests have been infrequent in recent years, making this a notable mobilisation.

Participants held signs with messages such as “No to unconstitutional government changes” and “Constitutional coup d’état”, condemning what they describe as an illegitimate overhaul of Togo’s legal framework.

David Dosseh, spokesperson for the Citizen Front Togo Debout (FCTD), one of the driving forces behind the movement, delivered a fiery address. “The 2024 Constitution is entirely unlawful. This is a constitutional coup that the people of Togo will never accept,” he declared.

The controversial reforms, enacted in 2024, fundamentally reshaped Togo’s political system. The new constitution abolished direct universal suffrage for presidential elections and shifted to a parliamentary model. Under the revised framework, the Prime Minister—now the country’s top executive position—holds the reins of power. President Gnassingbé, who has led the nation since 2005, currently occupies this role.

Critics argue the amendments were designed to indefinitely prolong Gnassingbé’s tenure, while government supporters claim the reforms enhance institutional representativeness and democratic stability.

Clashes linked to the constitutional dispute have already turned deadly. Civil society reports indicate seven fatalities in 2025 demonstrations, though prosecutors cite five drowning deaths. The government has not publicly released an official toll.

On January 29, the ECOWAS Court of Justice ruled that the amendments constituted an “unconstitutional change of government.” However, Togo’s administration dismissed the verdict, insisting the court overstepped its mandate. Government officials maintain that the court’s jurisdiction is limited to human rights and community law violations, with no authority to assess the constitutionality of domestic legislation.