Togo President Faure Gnassingbe has reappointed Victoire Tomegah-Dogbe as the country’s prime minister for a six-year term, marking her second tenure in the position.
The reappointment was announced on Thursday by the president’s office. Tomegah-Dogbe’s return to the role comes months after she and her entire government resigned in March. Despite her resignation, President Gnassingbe tasked her with managing current affairs until a new government was formed.
Tomegah-Dogbe made history as the first woman to serve as Togo’s prime minister, initially appointed in 2020. Her political career spans several ministerial roles since 2008, including serving as the chief of staff in the president’s office.
This reappointment follows the National Assembly’s approval of a new constitution earlier this year, transitioning Togo from a presidential to a parliamentary system. Under the new constitution, the president is elected by parliament for a single six-year term, while the prime minister, now titled ‘president of the council of ministers,’ holds executive power. The presidency has become largely ceremonial.
President Gnassingbe, who succeeded his father Gnassingbe Eyadema with military backing, continues to play a significant role in Togo’s political landscape. His father’s rule spanned nearly four decades, shaping the West African nation’s history.
Tomegah-Dogbe’s reappointment is seen as a pivotal step in Togo’s evolving political structure, reflecting the ongoing reforms and the nation’s shift towards a parliamentary democracy.
