Africa News of Tuesday, 7 January 2020

Source: bbc.com

Togo's president to seek another term

Faure Gnassingb Faure Gnassingb

The governing party in Togo has chosen incumbent President Faure Gnassingbé as its candidate for elections next month making it likely that his family's decades-long rule will be extended.

He was voted into power in a disputed election in 2005 - taking over from his late father Gnassingbé Eyadéma, who had been president for 38 years.

In recent years there has been growing anger over the family's complete domination of the political scene.

Eighteen months of mass protests hurt the economy and led to negotiations with the opposition in 2018.

A law was passed last year introducing a two-term presidential limit.

But the law did not take into account Mr Gnassingbé's first three terms allowing him to potentially stay in power until 2030.