| West Africa has been a shining light of democracy compared to the rest of the continent. Now a band of incumbent leaders is dismantling that reputation. The last time someone outside the Eyadéma family was president of Togo, both John Coltrane and Che Guevara were alive. In January 1967, Gnassingbé Eyadéma, father — and immediate predecessor — of the incumbent president, came into power after executing Africa’s first coup. This February, Faure Gnassingbé, the current president, secured a fourth term, after the country's parliament paved the way for him to run for five-year terms up to 2030 and granted him immunity for life from prosecution. But Togo is not the only West African nation where presidents are plotting to stay in power indefinitely. For many years, this region has been a shining light of democracy relative to the rest of Africa. Sure, there were ruling families like the Eyadémas, but for the most part, the region has had regular elections, with term limits in several countries. West Africa tops the continent's "freedom ratings" as per Freedom House, followed by Southern Africa, with dramatic gains over the past 25 years. Now, the region appears to be slipping back. | 