By Paschal Norbert
LOME, MAY 27, 2025 (CISA) – The Catholic Bishops of Togo have once again voiced deep concern over the country’s evolving socio-political climate, following a constitutional overhaul that saw the West African nation transition from its Fourth to Fifth Republic.
In March 2024, Togolese lawmakers adopted a new constitution that replaced the presidential system with a parliamentary one, granting lawmakers the power to elect the president “without debate” for a single six-year term, effectively removing direct presidential elections by the public.
In a pastoral message delivered on May 26, 2025, the Conference of Bishops of Togo (CET) lamented that this seismic shift occurred “in the context of strong crises, heaviness in the hearts, and general frustrations caused by the precarious living conditions of the population,” and without genuine national consultation, further deepening the country’s socio-political tensions.
The bishops recalled that as early as March 2024, they had raised the alarm about the government’s intention to alter the country’s Constitution without adequate national consultation.
“As you will recall, dear Sons and Daughters, Men and Women of goodwill, in March 2024, we, members of the Conference of Bishops of Togo, drew the attention of the Togolese authorities to the advisability or otherwise of changing our country’s Constitution without genuine consultation with the sovereign people,” the bishops stated.
The bishops explained, “We called, responsibly and in a spirit of peace, on the Head of State to postpone the promulgation of a new Constitution adopted by a National Assembly at the end of its term. Unfortunately, these calls were not heeded.”
The bishops fear that this rushed political shift, carried out without meaningful dialogue, is exacerbating tensions and threatening the nation’s social cohesion.
“This change, made without genuine national dialogue, gives rise to misunderstandings and poses serious risks to the social cohesion and stability of Togo,” they warned.
“We are firmly convinced: the country is running a risk by harboring frustrations; because a nation is not built sustainably on imposed silence, on fear aroused and maintained, on contempt for the voice of its people, or on a stubbornness in making the people believe the opposite of the truth. Silenced fears and frustrations turn into desperate acts, and silent anger becomes unpredictable explosions,” the bishops stressed.
Calling for wisdom and action from national leaders, the bishops emphasized that the current moment demands listening and dialogue.
“That the authorities become aware of the growing unrest among the population,” they urged, noting “That the voice of the people be heard with respect and taken into consideration. That a process of appeasement be undertaken with discernment, through the holding of a genuine, frank, sincere, inclusive, and constructive dialogue.”
Despite the hardship, the bishops lauded the resilience and dignity of the Togolese people: “We salute the resilience and maturity of the Togolese people, who continue to demonstrate patience and dignity despite the hardships. But resilience is far from being synonymous with resignation. Let us also remember that true peace cannot be built without justice, truth, and sincere dialogue.”
Their message, grounded in the liturgical spirit of Easter, emphasized that peace and transformation are rooted in the presence of the Holy Spirit.
“Let us not resist the Spirit; let us not extinguish him; on the contrary, let us fully welcome him, let him pray in us, act through us, and lead us where God awaits us,” they wrote, echoing the spiritual tone of Eastertide and the newly inaugurated pontificate of Pope Leo XIV.
The bishops extended a call to all sectors of national life, political actors, civil society, security forces, and religious communities, to unite in protecting the nation’s unity and future. To the Catholic faithful, they extended a direct appeal: to intensify prayers for justice, peace, dignity, and respect for human rights during a special novena from Friday, May 30 to Saturday, June 7, 2025, in preparation for Pentecost.
