Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé's institutional status changes. Now President of the Council, he retains control of the executive as Head of Government and Head of the Armed Forces, but is no longer officially Head of State.
This change, announced as part of a far-reaching political reform, marks a significant break with the traditional organization of the Togolese Republic as it has been known until now. The position of Head of State, held by Faure Gnassingbé since 2005, has been replaced by a new system of governance.
According to the authorities, the aim of this restructuring is to introduce a more collegial regime and modernize the institutions, bringing them into line with the "requirements of stable and effective governance". Faure Gnassingbé's role as President of the Council, however, gives him centralized power over the executive apparatus and the armed forces.
Critical voices are already being raised, denouncing this as a cosmetic transformation designed to keep power in the same hands while changing the titles. Others see it as a step towards a new institutional model inspired by certain foreign experiences, where executive power is dissociated from the symbolic function of Head of State.
The next few days will be decisive in determining the real scope of this reorganization. Between political continuity and institutional change, Togo is embarking on a new era, the contours of which have yet to be defined.
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