After constitutional change, Togo's parliament appoints country's leader to top position

A coalition of political parties and civil society groups in Togo vowed Monday to step up domestic and international pressure on President Faure Gnassingbe following his controversial appointment over the weekend as head of a powerful new executive body. Opposition politicians in the West African country denounced the move as a “constitutional coup" that could signal further democratic backsliding in a region marred by military coups. Gnassingbe, who has ruled since 2005 after the death of his father, on Saturday was given by lawmakers the powerful new title of President of the Council of Ministers. In this role, he has more power and can be re-elected indefinitely for 6-year terms by Parliament.
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