[JURIST] African leaders lifted sanctions against Togo [JURIST Country archive] Saturday following the resignation of Togolese president Faure Gnassingbe [BBC profile] late Friday evening. Gnassingbe's decision to step down came amid regional and international pressure for his resignation after he was put into power by the nation's military following the death of his father, President Gnassingbe Eyadema. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) [official website] stated that Togo "would be welcomed back into the fold' and re-instatement of the country's recently revoked African Union [official website] membership is likely to follow. Togo's Parliament has named Abass Bonfoh, a member of the ruling party, as acting president until elections in April. Togo's parliament made several amendments to the country's constitution that allowed Gnassingbe to fulfill his father's term. Reuters has more.