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. |
Man charged in transport of Masters golf tournament memorabilia taken from Augusta NationalPentagon leaders press Congress for Ukraine funding, saying battlefield situation is direMyanmar's jailed former leader Suu Kyi moved from prison to house arrestA neglected burial ground for migrants on Greek island of Lesbos has been given a drastic overhaulHere's everything that could go wrong with your jam, Meghan…and my tips to make sure it doesn'tNew Mexico special legislative session to focus on public safety initiativesPilot who died last week in Indiana plane crash was Purdue student, authorities sayCatholic officials in Brooklyn agree to an independent oversight of clergy sex abuse allegationsPlumbing problem at Glen Canyon Dam brings new threat to Colorado River systemMichael King's no