The limitation of presidential mandates to two, in the countries of the Economic Community of West African States (CEDAO), was at the heart of the debates of a citizens’ summit organized in Cotonou on 10 and 11 current, at the initiative of the association “Togo debout”.
Around 150 delegates from civil society organisations from several countries of the Community of West African States (CEDAO) took part in the work of this summit, which was under the theme of good governance, democracy and alternation in the sub-region.
Professor David Dosseh of Togo, spokesman for “Togo debout” and coordinator of the summit, told Togolese national television that the 3ᵉ mandate crisis has thus begun and continues inexorably. It is then up to us, the people of this community, to find [the vaccine] to put an end to it, on behalf of the people…”
While in the Top 5 Heads of State with the Longest Longevity, four are Africans, the theme of the summit was precisely the limitation of two presidential terms and the transparency and credibility of electoral processes, Essential elements for the democratization of regimes,” said the NGO Turn the Page, a citizen movement made up of more than 200 civil society organizations that advocates for democratic alternation and good governance.
The organizers of the summit plan to launch a major awareness campaign in the coming days in the 15 countries of the Economic Community of West African States (CEDAO).
At the summit, the President of the Republic of Benin, Patrice Talon, re-elected last April for a second term, promised not to run for a third term and to hand over power to a successor.
“I measure the scope of the relay and, before you, I will commit myself, take you to witness to pass this relay, on the third Sunday of May 2026, to the one who will have the confidence of the people of Benin,” President Talon promised.
The remarks of the Beninese President came after having received the symbolic witness of limitation to two mandates in the Cedao area from Professor Togolais David Dosseh, from the “Togo debout” movement.
“Beninese President Patrice Talon has just sent a strong message to the people of Africa and the leaders who are dragging their feet in power,” said Marc Ona Essangui, President of the NGO “Turning the Page” in a tweet on Sunday.
The organizers of the summit plan to launch a major awareness campaign in the coming days in the 15 countries of the Economic Community of West African States (CEDAO).
As a reminder, the first Citizens’ Summit on the Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, initiated by the Social Universities of Togo (UST), was held in Lomé in 2017.
Another summit of civil society organizations was held in Niger in 2019.
It was at this summit that Mahamadou Issoufou, former president of Niger, pledged not to run for a third term.
In the Niamey Declaration, the participants pledged to “Promote and defend the principles of constitutionalism, the rule of law and respect for the limitation of mandates.”
Source: AA / By Peter Kum
