Togo holds talks on institutional reforms without opposition buy in

Talks on Institutional reforms in Togo led by the Reconciliation and Strengthening of National Unity (HCRRUN) kick started on Monday, with the hope of bridging the divide between government and opposition.

Lawyers, historians and sociologist are part of the talks, seeking to iron out long-standing and thorny issues around electoral reforms proposed some years back, including issues around the presidential term, the nature of the voting system and distribution of seats in Parliament.

But, the National Alliance for Change (ANC), the main opposition party and other political parties are not participating in the dialogue saying the dismissal of reforms which have continuously been advocated for and ignored by government are part of a delaying tactic.

In May supporters of Togo’s opposition groups, demonstrated in the capital, Lome, demanding the reforms and local elections, saying it was time government implemented changes agreed under the Global Political Agreement signed in 2007 be implemented.

Agencies