Togo changes constitution

Togo's parliament, reacting to worldwide condemnation, changed the constitution yesterday and voted out the assembly's president, paving the way for the son of late leader Gnassingbe Eyadema to take power.

Parliament's move followed condemnation by world leaders of the appointment by the army of Mr Eyadema's son Faure Gnassingbe to take power when his father's death was announced on Saturday.

The constitution had previously said the head of the national assembly should assume power and elections should be held within 60 days.

But yesterday's parliamentary move paves the way for Faure Gnassingbe to become president legally.

According to the agenda of an extraordinary session of parliament, Faure Gnassingbe, who is also a deputy, will be voted in as head of the national assembly, and hence become the legal successor to the dead president.

Parliament had already passed a change to the constitution, which means there will be no requirement to hold elections within 60 days of the president's death. This change means that once Faure Gnassingbe is appointed head of the national assembly, he can rule unchallenged.

World leaders urged Togo yesterday to respect its laws as a result of the events following the death of Gnassingbe Eyadema, ruler of the West African country for 38 years. Army chiefs instead sealed the country's borders and appointed Faure Gnassingbe late on Saturday.