Togo opposition figure supports Gnassingbé regime

Me Tchassona Traoré, president of the small political party MCD, stated his commitment to social democracy through reform and dialogue rather than rupture. He believes in participating in dialogue frameworks, even with the current regime, to defend his convictions. Traoré made these remarks in an interview with the Togolese weekly "La Manchette" on October 21, 2026.

Traoré's stance has drawn criticism from some who argue that Togo is not a democracy and that the Gnassingbé regime is resistant to sincere dialogue. Critics point to a history of human rights violations, including political prisoners and repression of peaceful protests, as evidence of the regime's approach, suggesting Traoré's emphasis on non-violence is misplaced.

The MCD leader cited examples of grand coalitions and cohabitation in France and Germany as models for political cooperation. However, critics argue these European examples are not comparable to Togo's political situation, where they claim the Gnassingbé regime holds a monopoly on violence and resists genuine democratization efforts.

Why it mattersTogolese citizens, particularly those in the opposition, are affected by the debate on how to engage with the long-standing Gnassingbé regime.

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