Togo’s Ruling Party Wins Senate Elections Amid Opposition Criticism
TLDR
- Togo’s ruling Union for the Republic (Unir) party secured 34 out of 41 contested senatorial seats in elections held on Saturday
- The election was the final step in implementing the new Constitution, which President Faure Gnassingbé promulgated in May 2024
- The Senate, now composed of 61 members, includes 20 appointees by the President of the Council of Ministers
Togo’s ruling Union for the Republic (Unir) party secured 34 out of 41 contested senatorial seats in elections held on Saturday, the Electoral Commission announced. The results will be submitted to the Constitutional Court for final validation.
The election was the final step in implementing the new Constitution, which President Faure Gnassingbé promulgated in May 2024. The reform replaces presidential elections with a parliamentary system, where the President of the Republic holds a ceremonial role, while executive power shifts to the President of the Council—expected to be Faure Gnassingbé, given Unir’s dominance in parliament.
The Senate, now composed of 61 members, includes 20 appointees by the President of the Council of Ministers. Voting was conducted by 1,527 municipal and 179 regional councilors.
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Key Takeaways
Togo’s constitutional shift consolidates power within Unir, raising concerns over democratic representation. The opposition and civil society view the changes as a strategy for Faure Gnassingbé to extend his rule indefinitely, bypassing previous term limits. Major opposition parties boycotted the election, citing a lack of transparency. The leading opposition party, ADDI, participated but secured only one seat, while six others went to smaller parties. Foreign media were denied accreditation, as seen in April’s legislative and regional elections. This reform aligns with a broader trend in parts of Africa where ruling parties restructure political systems to maintain control. With Unir’s legislative majority and the Senate now in place, Faure Gnassingbé is positioned to extend his influence beyond the 2025 election, further entrenching his two-decade rule.
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