The recent ruling by the ECOWAS Court against Togo’s constitutional amendments has ignited a fierce debate in Lomé. While government officials dismiss the decision outright, the Association of Victims of Torture in Togo (ASVITTO) has launched a scathing counterattack, labeling the move as ‘state-sponsored gangsterism.’

Government dismisses ECOWAS jurisdiction

Togo’s leadership has swiftly countered the regional court’s verdict, arguing that the ECOWAS Court lacks the authority to review domestic constitutional matters or judge national constituent powers. Officials insist the ruling holds no legal weight within the country, effectively rendering the decision meaningless at a national level.

Civil society fires back with accusations of denial

The government’s stance has drawn sharp criticism from civil society groups. ASVITTO took to social media to condemn what it calls a blatant attempt to undermine justice, stating that those behind the alleged ‘constitutional coup’ are ‘trapped in their own fear, awaiting their inevitable downfall.’

The association accused authorities of a ‘well-documented pattern’ of disregarding ECOWAS rulings, pointing to the continued detention of political prisoners in Lomé—despite multiple regional court orders demanding their release.

“What remains consistent is their long-standing habit of ignoring and disrespecting ECOWAS decisions,” the group declared in a statement.

Call for decisive action against state violations

ASVITTO is not backing down. The organization has directly appealed to ECOWAS, urging the regional bloc to ‘administer the necessary remedy’ to address what it describes as Togo’s ‘pathological governance.’

The January court ruling, case number ECW/CCJ/JUD/01/26, had already declared the 2024 constitutional reform incompatible with the African Charter on Democracy, Human and Peoples’ Rights. ASVITTO’s message is unequivocal: ‘This form of state-sanctioned lawlessness must end in the subregion.’

Deadlock deepens as political prisoners remain jailed

What began as a legal battle has devolved into a stalemate. On one side, Togo’s government insists the regional court overstepped its bounds; on the other, civil society accuses it of failing to uphold international obligations.

Meanwhile, political detainees in Lomé continue to wait in limbo, their fate hanging in the balance as verbal sparring overshadows their plight. Their hope for justice remains unanswered, buried beneath layers of procedural disputes and political posturing.