Fact Check: "Faure Gnassingbe is eligible for re-election indefinitely."
What We Know
Faure Gnassingbé has been the President of Togo since 2005, succeeding his father, Gnassingbé Eyadéma, who ruled for 38 years. The Togolese Constitution originally limited presidential terms to five years, with a maximum of two terms. However, in 2019, a controversial constitutional amendment was passed, allowing the president to serve an unlimited number of terms, provided they are elected every five years. This amendment has been criticized for potentially enabling Gnassingbé to remain in power indefinitely, as it effectively removed the previous term limits (source).
The amendment was met with significant opposition, including protests from civil society groups and political opponents who argued that it undermined democratic principles and the rule of law. Despite these protests, the amendment was approved by the Togolese parliament and subsequently ratified in a national referendum (source).
Analysis
The claim that Faure Gnassingbé is eligible for re-election indefinitely is supported by the recent changes to the Togolese Constitution. The 2019 amendment allows him to run for re-election without the previous restrictions of term limits. Critics of the amendment argue that it consolidates power and undermines democratic accountability (source).
However, the legitimacy of the amendment and the electoral process in Togo has been questioned. Observers have noted that the political environment in Togo is characterized by repression of dissent and limited political freedoms, which raises concerns about the fairness of future elections (source).
While the legal framework now permits indefinite re-elections, the broader context of political repression and civil unrest complicates the situation. The sources used to support this claim are credible, as they include reports from established news organizations and analyses from political experts (source).
Conclusion
Verdict: Unverified. While the constitutional amendment allows Faure Gnassingbé to run for re-election indefinitely, the context of political repression and the legitimacy of the electoral process in Togo raise significant concerns. Therefore, while he is legally eligible, the practical implications of this eligibility are still subject to debate and scrutiny.
