The decision by the ECOWAS Court of Justice to invalidate Togo’s constitutional amendments has sparked intense debate in Lomé. While the government dismisses the ruling as legally groundless, the Association of Victims of Torture in Togo (ASVITTO) accuses authorities of orchestrating a constitutional coup.
Government rejects regional court’s authority
Togolese authorities swiftly countered the ECOWAS Court’s verdict, arguing that the regional body lacks jurisdiction to assess national constitutional matters. Officials claim the court has no mandate to review a sovereign nation’s constituent power, effectively rendering the ruling unenforceable within Togo’s legal framework.
ASVITTO condemns what it calls ‘state gangsterism’
Civil society groups remain unconvinced by the government’s stance. ASVITTO took to social media to denounce the alleged constitutional power grab, framing it as an act of desperation by a regime clinging to power. The association criticized authorities for habitual disregard of regional court decisions, pointing to ongoing detentions of political prisoners as evidence of systemic defiance.
« The pattern is clear: this government has repeatedly shown contempt for ECOWAS rulings, treating them as mere suggestions rather than binding obligations. »
Civil society demands enforcement of landmark ruling
ASVITTO has intensified pressure on ECOWAS, urging the regional bloc to take decisive action against what it describes as ‘state gangsterism’ in Togo. The association specifically references Judgment No. ECW/CCJ/JUD/01/26, issued earlier this year, which declared Togo’s 2024 constitutional reforms incompatible with the African Charter on Democracy, Elections, and Governance.
The NGO’s call underscores the broader frustration over unmet regional obligations. Despite the court’s unambiguous ruling, political detainees remain incarcerated, their fate hanging in the balance amid governmental inaction.
Political stalemate leaves detainees in limbo
A war of narratives has emerged: one side invoking legal technicalities, the other decrying blatant disregard for democratic norms. Yet beyond the rhetorical clashes, the human cost persists. For the imprisoned activists, the ECOWAS ruling offers little solace while its enforcement remains stalled.