The recent landmark ruling by the ECOWAS Court of Justice, which declared Togo’s 2024 constitutional amendment an ‘unconstitutional change of government,’ has intensified political tensions in Lomé. A coalition of over 40 civil society organizations is now demanding urgent sanctions against the Togolese government from regional bodies.
Forty-three civil society organizations (CSOs)—spanning local and international groups—have jointly urged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU) to take decisive action. Their appeal, made public in early August 2026, targets the controversial constitutional reform enacted by President Faure Gnassingbé in 2024, which shifted the country from a presidential to a parliamentary system.
ECOWAS Court Condemns Constitutional Manipulation
The ECOWAS Court’s ruling in July 2026 affirmed that the constitutional amendment, rushed through by the Togolese National Assembly in May 2024, amounted to a constitutional coup aimed at bypassing presidential term limits. This decision validates long-standing claims by opposition groups and activists who argue that the reform was designed to allow the sitting president to remain in power under the new title of ‘Prime Minister of the Council of Ministers.’
In a strongly worded open letter, the coalition emphasized the binding nature of the ruling: ‘This is not a mere advisory opinion—it is a legally enforceable decision under community law that Togo, as a founding member of ECOWAS, is obligated to respect.’ The signatories further stressed that the 2001 ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance must be applied uniformly: ‘If West Africa is serious about curbing military coups, it must equally sanction constitutional coups with equal firmness.’
Civil Society Demands Immediate Regional Action
The coalition’s demands are sweeping and include urgent measures from ECOWAS and the AU to hold Togolese authorities accountable. Their key requests include:
- Enforcement of the ECOWAS Protocol: Immediate activation of sanctions mechanisms for violating democratic norms.
- Diplomatic Isolation: Review of Togo’s participation in regional decision-making bodies.
- UN Intervention: Appointment of a UN Special Rapporteur to monitor public freedoms and human rights violations.
- Inclusive National Dialogue: Restoration of broad-based political negotiations under international mediation.
A Critical Test for Regional Democracy
The group’s mobilization underscores deep-seated concerns over Togo’s democratic backsliding in recent years. The upcoming decisions by ECOWAS heads of state will serve as a litmus test for the bloc’s commitment to upholding democratic principles. As the crisis escalates, the international community watches closely to see whether regional institutions prioritize diplomatic stability or enforce strict adherence to constitutional integrity.