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New post for Togo president could see him rule for life | New post for Togo president could see him rule for life |
(30 minutes later) | |
Faure Gnassingbé's family has ruled Togo for 58 years and his new role has no term limits | Faure Gnassingbé's family has ruled Togo for 58 years and his new role has no term limits |
The Togolese leader, Faure Gnassingbé, has been sworn in as "President of the Council of Ministers" - a new post which is the highest office in the government's executive branch and has no official term limits. | The Togolese leader, Faure Gnassingbé, has been sworn in as "President of the Council of Ministers" - a new post which is the highest office in the government's executive branch and has no official term limits. |
This follows constitutional reform that ended presidential elections, and introduced a parliamentary system. | This follows constitutional reform that ended presidential elections, and introduced a parliamentary system. |
The opposition said the change was in order to allow President Gnassingbé to stay in power indefinitely. | The opposition said the change was in order to allow President Gnassingbé to stay in power indefinitely. |
His family has ruled the country for 58 years - Faure Gnassingbé took over in 2005 from his father, Gnassingbé Eyadéma, who had ruled for almost four decades. | |
This latest change results from a new constitution approved by lawmakers last year, labelled by critics and opposition figures as an "institutional coup d'état". | This latest change results from a new constitution approved by lawmakers last year, labelled by critics and opposition figures as an "institutional coup d'état". |
Gnassingbé's government had paused some of the changes following huge backlash, but has moved ahead with his new role. | Gnassingbé's government had paused some of the changes following huge backlash, but has moved ahead with his new role. |
Togo's municipal elections in July will be the first under the new constitution, which has replaced the presidential system with a parliamentary one. | Togo's municipal elections in July will be the first under the new constitution, which has replaced the presidential system with a parliamentary one. |
In theory, the role of president of the republic is now only an honorary title, but analysts say Gnassingbé's power is more entrenched than ever with his new post of council president. | In theory, the role of president of the republic is now only an honorary title, but analysts say Gnassingbé's power is more entrenched than ever with his new post of council president. |
His party, the Union for the Republic, won a huge majority in last year's parliamentary election, taking of 108 out of 113 seats in the National Assembly. | His party, the Union for the Republic, won a huge majority in last year's parliamentary election, taking of 108 out of 113 seats in the National Assembly. |
More BBC stories about Togo: | More BBC stories about Togo: |
'Helping a human is better than scoring a goal' - Adebayor | 'Helping a human is better than scoring a goal' - Adebayor |
Why ex-French colonies are joining the Commonwealth | Why ex-French colonies are joining the Commonwealth |
Meet the football grannies of Africa | Meet the football grannies of Africa |
Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. | Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. |
Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica | Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica |
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