‘Don’t touch my constitution!’ Togolese resist reforms ahead of election

Togo's President Faure Gnassingbe waves before a working lunch at the Elysee Palace in Paris, on April 9, 2021. Activists and opposition leaders in the West African country have called for protests to stop him from signing off on a new constitution [Lewis Joly/AP Photo]

Tensions are rising in Togo over major constitutional reforms ahead of delayed parliamentary elections.

The constitutional reboot was approved by lawmakers last month but resubmitted for “consultations” as public anger over its stealthy passage through parliament mounted with police breaking up an opposition news conference and cracking down on protests.