Togo has taken a decisive step in its institutional transformation with the installation of the Senate, a first in the country's history. This upper house of parliament, elected by indirect universal suffrage on February 15, 2025, is a key element in the transition to the Fifth Republic.
The establishment of the Senate comes after the promulgation of the new Constitution in May 2024, a text that continues to be contested by the opposition and civil society organizations.
Despite these tensions, the Senate will now hold two ordinary sessions a year, in April and October, each lasting three months.
A 61-member institution
In accordance with the texts published in the Journal Officiel, the Togolese Senate comprises 61 members. Of these, 41 senators were elected for a six-year term by an electoral college made up of regional and local councillors. The remaining 20 were appointed by the President of the Republic, Faure Gnassingbé.
Here is the complete list of Togo's first senators :
- Mr KOFFIGOH Kokou Joseph
- MR DRAMANI DAMA
- Mr MALLY Komlan
- Mr. BARQUE Barry Moussa
- Mr AYASSOR Adji Oteth
- Me SESSENOU Kwadjo Fiatuwo
- Mr AKOUETE Yawovi Beleki
- Ms DIDONOU Akpenè
- M. KOLANI Lardja
- Mr KABOUA Essokoyo Abass
- Mr ALIPUI Senanu Koku
- Mr. KAGBARA Uleija Y.M. Innocent
- Me TCHASSONA TRAORÉ Mohamed
- Ms ABOUGNIMA K. Molga
- Mr AZIABLE Koami Nukunu
- Ms BALOUKI-LEGUEZIM Bernadette
- Ms BATIKRANA Kpenta married BALAKA
- Mr BOURAIMA Inoussa
- Ms DANGBUI Afi Xolali Pascaline
- Mr JOHNSON Togbui Ampah
- Ms KOUVAHEY Amoko Holadem
- Ms KPEGBA Kafui
- Ms LAMBONI-KABISSA Issoyotou
- Ms SANKAREDJA Moni épouse SINANDJA
- Mrs SANT'ANNA Edwige Clara Ayawavi widow AYAYI-ATAYI
- Ms KPODO Adzoa
- Ms BANYBAH Afiwavi Enyonam Vicenzia
- Mr ATSOU Ayao
- Mr AFANGBEDJI Komlavi Sedoufia
- Mr OLYMPIO Adeblewo Kossi
- Mr AQUEREBURU Alexis John Coffi Darwin
- Mr ALONYO Anani Akoete
- Mr AGBABLI Koffi
- Mr GOMADO Kwami
- Mr PANIAH Koffi Agbenoxevi
- Mr BLAMCK Koffi Leeye
- Mr OGOUHOUNDE Kokou
- Mr AGBEFLE Koffi Ganyo
- Mr AGO BAZAA Bawbady
- Mr ADADJI Koffi Efanam
- Mr ATUTONU Amah
- Dr APETSIANYI AGBOBLI Eli Dela
- Mr SOSSOU Viwoto Sewonou Yaovi
- Ms OTIMI Kossiwa Nemonha
- Mr GNAHOUAME Atchou
- Mr MAGNETINE Assindah
- Mr AMELETE Bawoumondom
- Mr CISSE Alilou SAM-DJA
- Mr BAH-TRAORE Babadogo
- Mr DJATO Tassounti
- Mr DOGO Koudjolou
- Mr YAGNINIM Bitokotipou
- Mr NASSOU Alouadjou Katou
- Mr. WALLA Edjaide Pehena Paganao
- Mr KANKPE-KOMBATH Gnitiguine Boule
- Mr SAMBIANI Yentema Augustin
- Mr BOLAL Gnoate
- Mr DE POUKN Montode
- Mr LAMBONI Mindi
- Mr BARNABO Nampoukime
- Mr AGBEBOUME Kossi
A Senate with major political stakes
The creation of the Senate is part of a far-reaching institutional reform. Its exact role within Togo's political landscape remains to be defined in practice, but according to the Constitution, it will be responsible for examining the laws passed by the National Assembly, representing local authorities and overseeing the major institutional balances.
However, the opposition and certain civil society organizations denounce a Senate "shaped" to serve the interests of the ruling power. The appointment of a third of senators by the Head of State is fuelling criticism of an institution that may lack independence.
As the new institutions of the Fifth Republic take shape, Togo's political future seems more than ever subject to tensions between the government and its detractors. The installation of the Senate, supposed to strengthen democracy, could become a new point of tension on the national political scene.
As a reminder, the 61 members of the second chamber of Parliament (41 elected and 20 appointed) opened their first session in Lomé on Thursday March 06.
Editorial staff
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