LOME, Togo (AP) — Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe has signed a controversial new constitution that eliminates presidential elections, a statement from his office said late Monday. It’s a move that opponents say will allow him to extend his family’s six-decade-long rule.
Under the new legislation, parliament will have the power to choose the president, doing away with direct elections. The election commission on Saturday announced that Gnassingbe’s ruling party had won a majority of seats in the West African nation’s parliament.
Ahead of the vote, there was a crackdown on civic and media freedoms. The government banned protests against the proposed new constitution and arrested opposition figures. The electoral commission banned the Catholic Church from deploying election observers. In mid-April, a French journalist who arrived to cover the elections was arrested, assaulted and expelled. Togo’s media regulator later suspended the accreditation process for foreign journalists.
Related articles:
Related suggestion:
China expresses grave concerns over Japan's planned export controlsOver 1,000 arrested in US college protests nationwideChina's energy storage capacity expands to support lowAI data training supported by domestic chips, supercomputersAt least 40 killed as dam bursts in Kenya amid heavy downpourKenya evacuates tourists stuck in flooded wildlife sanctuaryErik Jones cleared to return by NASCAR but will sit out Kansas race after back injury at TalladegaWhat defines a heartbeat? Judge hears arguments in South Carolina abortion caseUS Fed keeps interest rates unchanged at 5.25UN mission leaves DRC's South Kivu province as part of withdrawal plan
0.236s , 5292.8046875 kb
Copyright © 2024 Powered by Togo's presidents signs a law expected to extend his decades ,Earthly Encounters news portal