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. |
Republicans seeking Georgia congressional seat debate limits on abortion and immigrationRose Lavelle scores in Gotham debut for 1Massachusetts police bust burglary ring that stole $4 million in jewels over six yearsKimbrel blows second straight save as Athletics win rubber game 7China's gigantic telescope detects over 900 new pulsarsCrew chief says Judge should have been called for interference on slide during Yankees' rallyPope visits Venice to speak to the artists and inmates behind the Biennale's mustExperts caution against underestimating 'indolent tumors'Chicago White Sox promote rightCubs place LHP Jordan Wicks on 15