Togo’s authorities announced they will lift the suspension on accreditations for foreign journalists that had been imposed in April following a highly disputed constitutional reform.
The High Authority for Audiovisual and Communication (HAAC) had suspended these accreditations ahead of legislative elections, during which President Faure Gnassingbe’s ruling party extended his family’s political control.
HAAC attributed the suspension to “serious failures” in the coverage of Togo’s politics by French media and issues involving a French journalist who was expelled from the country.
“The suspension of the accreditation of foreign press organisations for the coverage of news and demonstrations in Togo is lifted as of Wednesday, June 26,” HAAC stated late Friday.
Reporters Without Borders condemned the suspension as a violation of freedom of information.
In the elections, Gnassingbe’s Union for the Republic (UNIR) party secured 108 out of 113 seats in parliament.
The constitutional reform transforms the presidency into a largely ceremonial role elected by lawmakers, with executive power shifting to a new president of the council of ministers. This position will automatically be held by the leader of the ruling party, currently Gnassingbe as the head of UNIR.
Critics argue that the reform is an “institutional coup” designed to allow Gnassingbe to bypass presidential term limits and retain power, as he can assume the new role every six years if his party maintains its parliamentary majority.
