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On February 26, 1996, the first-ever international meeting on the African Renaissance was held in Dakar, Senegal to celebrate one of my greatest African intellectuals Cheik Anta Diop, among the specific objectives was fostering democracy as a prerequisite to the African Renaissance.

Senegal the first host of the African Renaissance has through thick and thin turbulences managed to keep this specific objective alive with the latest being the historical victory of Diomaye Faye as the people’s elected President.

A few hours after 44-year-old Senegal’s President-elect Diomaye won the hotly contested elections, which had seemed impossible due to outgoing President Macky Sall’s attempt to tamper with the constitution and defer elections to November 2024, a sense of relief swept through Senegal and the region.

The elections brought a sigh of relief to a region struggling with a decline in democracy, marked by excessive executive power and a rise in popular coups. 

Fortunately, Faye’s victory comes at a crucial moment and is seen as an opportunity to strengthen Inclusive democracy not only in Senegal but also in West Africa. 

Subsequently, Senegal’s return as Africa’s and West Africa’s poster child for democracy is hoped for, as the region has witnessed democratic backsliding over the past years. 

The matrix of regression has been characterized by pervasive corruption, authoritarian regimes, press restrictions, human rights abuses, discrimination against minorities, and economic downturns, eroding public trust.

However, this celebration was short-lived shockingly, less than 48 hours after people across the continent celebrated Senegal's democratic win, Togo re-emerged as another West African nightmare. 

Unfortunately, reports from Togo indicate that the President and his ruling party members unanimously approved changes to the constitution, eliminating direct universal suffrage for the presidency. 

Instead, the president will now be elected by Parliament for a single six-year term, without any debate, effectively depriving Togolese citizens of their right to choose their leader. 

Tragically, the uncouth selfish move directly violates the African Union's Charter on Democracy, Elections, and Governance, which prohibits any amendments or revisions to constitutions that undermine democratic principles.

‘Togo’s parliament banning Universal suffrage is not just against democracy but specifically inclusive democracy and Nelson Mandela’s vision of democratizing Africa.’

Sadly, this filthy constitutional maneuver in Togo follows a similar one in May 2019, which allowed the current President Gnassingbe to seek re-election and potentially extend his stay in office until 2030.

‘Every action reacts’ therefore, this action sparked massive protests in 2017-18, tarnishing Togo's democratic image. This recent move further stains Togo's history, as it was the first country in West Africa to experience a military coup in 1963.

Despite these troubling developments, what do the people of Togo think about democracy?

According to the latest Afro-Barometer data (2021/2023), 68% of Togolese prefer democracy over any other alternative, but 64% express dissatisfaction with how democracy functions in their country;

Moreover, 82% reject the one-party rule, 53% reject the military rule, 78% reject the autocratic rule, and 82% advocate for presidential term limits. Additionally, 52% believe that Togo is not a democracy or is a democracy with significant problems.

Respecting the views of the Togolese people on democracy and aligning with their vision of an ideal democratic country would restore confidence in democratic governance.

Ideally, it is imperative to develop mechanisms to eliminate such dubious and uncouth parliamentary actions that deny citizens the right to choose their leaders, especially in a country where 74% of citizens prefer elections as the only method for leadership selection.

‘Togo's ongoing constitutional crisis requires decisive action from the UNITED NATIONS, ECOWAS, the African Union, and the US State of Department’s Summit for Democracy to consider the potential implications for the security and stability of the already fragile region.’

While the continent and the region are in the euphoria of Senegal's successful elections, all eyes should be on Togo, the events unfolding in Togo should not be overlooked, as there is a risk of contagion if the democratic crisis is not addressed and condemned swiftly.

‘The uncouth act of traversing the course of a democratic society by cramping down the provision of Universal adult suffrage is also heavily rumored in Uganda and other countries.’

By allowing the Togo precedent to go unnoticed we are normalizing the abnormal that will be used as a global benchmark and sneaking into other countries' constitutions which is a threat to the African Renaissance. 

The cramp down on adult suffrage is against economic, social, and political inclusivity which is at the heart of the African Renaissance and the New World Order.

African Renaissance is a philosophical and political movement to end the violence, elitism, corruption, and poverty that has plagued the majority of African countries including Togo.

Inclusive Democracy is the software that enables systems and institutions to replace them with a more just and equitable order, depending on the current wave of coups, which are sending calamity signals to the continent's future and Africa’s position in the New World Order.

My advice to the African Union has failed in its mandate is to mandatory democracy conditions as the software of integration in any country below inclusive democratic practices.

Africa's democracy is largely vacillating due to governments political merchants elites and officials getting involved in corruption and embezzlement, consequentially making a leadership truce to Africa’s renaissance.

Inclusive Democracy will empower the despairing young population into critical masses that will drive public discourse, and participate in accountable governance that will curb the escalation of illicit behaviors by government officials, political merchants, and peddles of unconstitutional governance.

Inclusive Democracy is the building block of everlasting peace, sustainable development, and closing gloss inequality gaps.

Inclusive democracy will prerequisite for the success of the African Renaissance and position Africa in the New World Order.

Robert Kigongo is a sustainable development analyst