Togo’s National Assembly has passed a controversial constitutional amendment, changing the West African country from a presidential to a parliamentary system. Parliament will in future choose the president, contrary to past practice of direct election. The opposition boycotted Friday’s vote, alleging the move came with the intention of allowing the president to remain in office for longer. President Faure Gnassingbé will now be able to remain in power in one of the world’s poorest countries up to 2031. The amendment was first introduced in December. It led to countrywide protests against attem…