By Ebi Kesiena
Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbe has reappointed Victoire Tomegah-Dogbe as the country’s prime minister for a six-year term under the new constitution, the president’s office announced on Thursday.
This appointment follows months after Tomegah-Dogbe and her entire government resigned in March.
Despite her resignation, President Gnassingbe had instructed Tomegah-Dogbe to continue managing current affairs until a new government team was appointed.
Tomegah-Dogbe made history as the first woman to hold the position of prime minister in Togo, following her initial appointment in 2020.
Tomegah-Dogbe has held several ministerial positions since 2008, including serving as chief of staff in the president’s office. Her reappointment comes after the National Assembly approved a new constitution earlier this year, transitioning the country from a presidential to a parliamentary system.
Under the new constitution, the president will be elected by parliament instead of through direct adult vote, for a single term of six years.
Executive power now lies with a “president of the council of ministers” or prime minister, while the role of the president becomes largely ceremonial.
Heritage Times, HT, recalls that Gnassingbe’s father, Gnassingbe Eyadema, ruled Togo for almost four decades before Gnassingbe succeeded him with the military’s support.
