ECOWAS deploys fact-finding mission to Togo ahead of elections slated for April 29

The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Alieu Touray, has deployed a fact-finding mission to Togo to interact with key stakeholders ahead of the country’s legislative and regional elections on April 29, 2024.

This is contained in a press release dated April 15 issued by the Commission.

The elections, initially scheduled for 13th April, were first postponed to 20th April and now further delayed to 29th April due to the gravity of the contentious constitutional reforms the government planned to introduce.

“These reforms, passed through the National Assembly, aimed to transform the Togolese political system from a presidential to a parliamentary model. In this crucial context, the ECOWAS Commission has deemed it necessary to dispatch a fact-finding mission to Togo,” the Commission explained.

It explained further that, “Under the constitutional changes, members of Parliament will elect the President, who in turn will elect the President of the Council of Ministers with executive powers, equivalent of a Prime Minister under the Westminster system. Such a President would be appointed from within the party or coalition with parliamentary majority.”

The Commission said members of the fact-finding mission will remain in Togo until April 20.

“The seven-member fact-finding mission, which is in response to an earlier invitation by the Togolese government, is led by H.S. Maman Samba Sidikou, the immediate past head of the AU Mission in Mali and the Sahel. It will remain in the country from 15th to 20th April,” the release concluded.