Togo has rescheduled legislative elections for April 29 after postponing them due to a controversial constitutional reform, according to a government statement issued on Tuesday.
Initially set for April 20, the elections were canceled by the government, citing the need for consultations to implement constitutional changes—a move criticized by the opposition as an attempt by President Gnassingbe to prolong his tenure.
The decision to fix the new election date was made following a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, shortly before opposition parties planned to escalate protests against the postponement.
Despite being denied a protest permit by the government, opposition groups, including the National Alliance for Change (ANC), remain committed to continuing demonstrations.
The opposition is calling for the complete withdrawal of the proposed constitutional reform, which aims to grant the National Assembly the power to directly appoint the President instead of through elections.
Tensions are rising in Togo, evidenced by recent security interventions to disperse an opposition press conference.
