Togo's parliament adopted a new constitution last weekend, paving the way to transition from a presidential to a parliamentary regime in Togo. This has sparked great debate across the nation, with both opposition leader and civil society groups decrying the change in the political landscape as an attempted power grab by President Faure Gnassingbe.

The shift from a semi-presidential to a parliamentary regime marks a notable departure from Togo's political tradition.

Dodji Apevon, leader of the opposition party Action Committee for Renewal, told DW that the parliamentary decision to change the constitution needs to be overturned.

"Whatever it costs us, we will fight. We are all united around this ideal to save our country from the abyss into which President Gnassingbe is plunging it," Apevon said.

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The timing of the change is what concerns people the most, coming just days ahead of Togo's upcoming regional and legislative elections on April 29, says Nathaniel Olympio of the Party of the Togolese.

"People registered under the 1992 constitution. Along the way, during the campaign, the constitution........

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