The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Alieu Touray, has dispatched a fact-finding mission to Togo in preparation for the country’s legislative and regional elections scheduled for April 29, 2024. This decision comes after the elections were postponed multiple times due to contentious constitutional reforms proposed by the Togolese government.
Initially set for April 13, the elections were first rescheduled to April 20 and now further delayed to April 29. The proposed constitutional reforms aimed to transition Togo’s political system from a presidential to a parliamentary model. In light of this significant change, the ECOWAS Commission deemed it necessary to send a fact-finding mission to engage with key stakeholders in Togo.
According to the Commission, under the proposed constitutional changes, members of Parliament will elect the President, who will then appoint the President of the Council of Ministers with executive powers, similar to a Prime Minister under the Westminster system. The appointed President must come from the party or coalition with a parliamentary majority.
The fact-finding mission, consisting of seven members and led by H.S. Maman Samba Sidikou, will be in Togo from April 15 to April 20. This mission was in response to an invitation by the Togolese government and includes individuals with experience in the region, such as the immediate past head of the AU Mission in Mali and the Sahel.
The objective of the fact-finding mission is to gather information and engage with various stakeholders in Togo ahead of the upcoming elections. They will assess the current political climate and provide recommendations to ensure a transparent and credible electoral process.
