A COALITION of political parties and civil society groups in Togo vowed on Monday to step up domestic and international pressure on President Faure Gnassingbe.

This follows President Gnassingbe’s controversial appointment over the weekend as head of a powerful new executive body.

Opposition politicians in the west African country denounced the move as a “constitutional coup” that could signal further democratic backsliding in a region marred by military coups.

Mr Gnassingbe, who has ruled since 2005, on Saturday was given by lawmakers the powerful new title of president of the council of ministers. In this role, he has more power and can be re-elected indefinitely for six-year terms by parliament.

Two main opposition parties, the Democratic Forces for the Republic and the National Alliance for Change, called the move a “constitutional coup” in a joint statement on Sunday.

“This process is neither legal nor legitimate. It is the result of an institutional hold-up orchestrated by a desperate regime, which fears more than anything the freely expressed will of the people,” the statement said.

The ruling party did not respond to a request for comment.