[Togo] Article 59

The Constitution of the Republic of Togo, adopted by referendum on 27 September 1992 and subsequently amended on 31 December 2002 by the National Assembly – which was entirely under the control of the ruling party – no longer imposes any limit on the presidential term of office. Article 59 of Title 4, dealing with the Executive Branch, states: “The President of the Republic shall be elected by direct, universal and secret suffrage for a term of five (05) years. He may be re-elected. The President of the Republic shall remain in office until his elected successor takes office.”

Togolese activists and bloggers, supported by the African League of Bloggers and Activists for Democracy, are launching the #Article59 e-democracy campaign. This is a grassroots campaign and is not affiliated with any political party.

We, Africtivistes, are supporting #Article59 in calling on President Faure Gnassingbé, the government and the National Assembly of Togo to implement institutional and constitutional reforms to limit the President’s term of office to two terms and to reinstate the two-round, single-member constituency voting system.

Togolese civil society and the young people of Togo no longer want a president who can remain in office for life, let alone elections that lack transparency. We call on all young people in Togo, and all Africans, to support the #Article59 initiative to strengthen democratic efforts in the Togolese Republic.

Follow us on social media using the hashtag #Article59.