ACTIVISTS and opposition leaders in the west African country of Togo called on Wednesday for protests to stop the presidential signing of a new constitution.

Critics say the proposed new system would scrap future presidential elections and could extend President Faure Gnassingbe’s nearly 20-year rule until 2031.

The constitution, which was passed by the country’s lawmakers earlier this week but now awaits Mr Gnassingbe’s final approval, lets parliament choose the president, doing away with direct elections. 

This makes it likely that Mr Gnassingbe would be re-elected when his mandate expires in 2025.

There are widespread fears that the role could become another avenue for President Gnassingbe to extend his grip on power.

The new constitution also increases presidential terms from five to six years. The almost 20 years that Mr Gnassingbe has served in office, after taking over from his father, would not count toward that tally.

Opposition and clergy critics say the legislation is an effort by President Gnassingbe to prolong his rule. 

Some have promised to stop it from becoming law by calling on the people to rise up and protest.

Eric Dupuy, a spokesman for the opposition National Alliance for Change party, said: “We know that the struggle will be long and hard, but together with the Togolese people, we will do everything we can to prevent this constitutional coup d’etat.”

He added: “We’re calling on the population to reject this, to oppose it massively.”

But on Wednesday police broke up a news conference called by the opposition and threw leaders and journalists out of the venue.

Togo, a nation of around eight million people, has been ruled by the same family for 57 years, initially by Eyadema Gnassingbe and subsequently by his son. 

Mr Gnassingbe has been in office since 2005 after winning elections that were denounced as a sham by the opposition.