Following a landmark ruling by the ECOWAS Court of Justice that declared Togo’s 2024 constitutional amendment an unconstitutional government change, a pan-African coalition of civil society organizations has escalated pressure for decisive action against Lomé’s leadership.
A coalition of 43 civil society groups—both local and international—has issued a joint appeal to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU), demanding immediate sanctions against Togolese authorities for the controversial constitutional reform pushed through in 2024 by President Faure Gnassingbé.
Legal and political fallout from the constitutional shift
The collective’s call comes after a historic legal decision by the ECOWAS Court of Justice. The ruling determined that the abrupt transition from a presidential to a parliamentary system, approved by Togo’s National Assembly in May 2024, amounted to a constitutional coup aimed at circumventing presidential term limits.
For the 43 signatory organizations—including human rights leagues, legal collectives, and grassroots movements—the court’s verdict validates long-standing claims by opposition groups and civil society. They argue the constitutional overhaul was solely designed to allow the incumbent president to remain in power under a new title, that of “Prime Minister of the Council of Ministers.”
The collective’s open letter stresses: “This ruling is not just a moral consultation—it is a binding decision of community law that Togo, as a founding ECOWAS member, must respect.” The statement highlights that Togo is legally bound by the 2001 ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance. “There can be no double standards. If West Africa seeks to curb military coups, it must equally sanction constitutional coups with the same determination.”
Calls for regional sanctions and international monitoring
In their joint communiqué, the organizations not only endorse the court’s decision but go further, demanding swift implementation of targeted sanctions by regional bodies. They urge the ECOWAS Commission and the AU Peace and Security Council to initiate suspension and restriction measures against Togolese officials.
Key demands from the coalition include:
- Enforcement of the ECOWAS Protocol: Activation of democratic safeguard mechanisms for breaches of constitutional order.
- Diplomatic isolation: Review of Togo’s participation in regional decision-making bodies.
- UN oversight: Appointment of a UN Special Rapporteur to monitor violations of public freedoms.
- Inclusive national dialogue: Restarting broad political consultations under international mediation.
A defining moment for regional trust and democracy
The coalition’s campaign casts renewed scrutiny on Togo’s institutions, which have faced persistent accusations of constitutional manipulation over the past decade. The stance adopted by the ECOWAS Heads of State Summit in the coming weeks will serve as a critical test—weighing diplomatic stability against the strict application of democratic principles. With Togo’s democratic credibility on the line, the region now stands at a crossroads.