Togolese parliamentarians seek constitutional reforms

Togolese opposition Members of Parliament are pushing for a review of the country’s constitution.

MPs from the Alliance for Change and the Democratic Alliance for Integral Development on Wednesday, pushed through a bill at the National Assembly aimed at modifying about ten articles of the constitution.

They are among others, seeking a presidential term limit which will allow the president to be re-elected only once upon assumption of office.

The current constitution imposes no such limits.

The MPs have also proposed that Members of the Constitutional Court be nominated by parliament.

A similar bill had been rejected two years ago.

Togo’s National episcopal Conference has called on the government and the opposition to respect their engagements.

The government had in 2006 concluded a deal with the opposition on political reforms following the highly contested elections.

The two sides have however been unable to agree on several points.

Whereas some civil society organisations have called for a fresh dialogue, some MPs from the ruling party say the 2006 political deal has become obsolete.

Togolese president Faure Gnassingbé was re-elected for a third term in April last year extending his family’s 48-year hold on power.