Togo to hold presidential vote amid unrest, could see leader's family in power half a century
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Togo will vote Saturday in a vote that could see its president win power for a third five-year term, putting his family in power for nearly half a century.
President Faure Gnassingbe took power in 2005 after his father, who ruled Togo for 38 years, died of a heart attack. Last year lawmakers considered a bill that would reintroduce term limits, but it did not pass.
Opposition candidate Jean-Pierre Fabre is a strong challenger to Gnassingbe. An economist who has led demonstrations demanding political reforms and changes to the military.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Government soldiers have opened fire on demonstrators this year and last.
About 500 international observers will oversee the voting of about 3.5 million people at more than 4,000 polling stations.