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Togo, a narrow strip of land on Africa's west coast, has for years been the target of criticism over its human rights record and political governance. Tensions spilled over into deadly violence when its strong-arm, veteran leader died in 2005 and a succession crisis followed. Political reconciliation remains elusive.
Overview
Togo formed part of the Slave Coast, from where captives were shipped abroad by European slavers during the 17th century. In 1884 it became the German protectorate of Togoland.
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AT-A-GLANCE
Politics: President Faure Gnassingbe succeeded his father in a manner condemned internationally. The opposition and government have agreed to form a government of national unity
Economy: Togo is among the world's poorest countries. Isolation has further aggravated its weak economy
International: Togo faces international pressure to hold credible parliamentary elections and improve its human rights record. Thousands who fled 2005 election violence remain in Benin
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It was seized by Britain and France at the start of World War I, divided and administered under League of Nations mandates. The British-ruled western part was later incorporated into what is now Ghana. France granted independence in 1960 and Togo's first president, Sylvanus Olympio, was assassinated in a military coup three years later. Head of the armed forces Gnassingbe Eyadema seized power in a 1967 coup and dissolved all political parties. Although political parties were legalised in 1991 and a democratic constitution was adopted in 1992, the leadership was accused of suppressing opposition and of cheating in elections. A joint UN-Organisation of African Unity investigation into claims that hundreds of people were killed after controversial elections in 1998 concluded that there had been systematic human rights violations. Gnassingbe Eyadema died in early 2005 after 38 years in power. The military's immediate but short-lived installation of his son, Faure Gnassingbe, as president provoked widespread international condemnation. Mr Faure stood down and called elections which he won two months later. The opposition said the vote was rigged. The developments of 2005 led to renewed questions about a commitment to democracy made by Togo in 2004 in a bid to normalise ties with the EU, which cut off aid in 1993 over the country's human rights record. Moreover, up to 500 people were killed in the political violence surrounding the presidential poll, according to the UN. Around 40,000 Togolese fled to neighbouring countries.
Facts
- Full name: Togolese Republic
- Population: 6.6 million (UN, 2009)
- Capital: Lome
- Area: 56,785 sq km (21,925 sq miles)
- Major languages: French (official), local languages
- Major religions: Indigenous beliefs, Christianity, Islam
- Life expectancy: 61 years (men), 64 years (women) (UN)
- Monetary unit: 1 CFA (Communaute Financiere Africaine) franc = 100 centimes
- Main exports: Cocoa, phosphates, coffee, cotton
- GNI per capita: US $400 (World Bank, 2008)
- Internet domain: .tg
- International dialling code: +228
Leaders
President: Faure Gnassingbe Eyadema Faure Gnassingbe, the son of Togo's late veteran leader Gnassingbe Eyadema, won presidential elections in April 2005, gaining 60% of the votes.
Faure Gnassingbe succeeded his father as president
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The poll was followed by street violence in the capital involving security forces and opposition supporters, who said the election had been rigged. The Constitutional Court rejected the claim and a regional delegation said the vote had been broadly free and fair, despite isolated problems. In 2009, the Togolese authorities claimed there had been a foiled coup plot against President Gnassingbe involving his half-brother and former defence minister, Kpatcha Gnassingbe. In August 2006 Togo's political parties agreed to form a transitional government of national unity, intended to draw a line under years of violence and instability and to herald parliamentary elections in 2007. As a first step in implementing the deal, opposition party leader Yawovi Agboyibo was appointed as prime minister in September. However, the opposition was excluded from the new government formed after President's Gnassingbe's Rally of the Togolese People's won the 2007 election, which was declared free and fair by international observers. Togo's military installed Faure Gnassingbe as president after his father died in February 2005. The opposition and some African leaders described the succession as a military coup. Under strong international pressure Faure Gnassingbe stepped down and called the election.
Media
Private media have proliferated; there are dozens of commercial and community radios and weekly newspapers, as well as a handful of private TV stations.
Private daily Liberte launched in 2009
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However, many private media firms have shaky finances and lag behind state-owned rivals in terms of advertising revenue. Radio is the most popular medium, particularly in rural areas. The main TV station is government-owned Television Togolaise. The government also operates Togo-Presse daily. Reporters Without Borders describes the media freedom environment as "satisfactory" (2009). Under legislation introduced in 2002, press offences cannot be punished by imprisonment. The BBC broadcasts in the capital on 97.5 FM. Also on air in Lome is Gabon's Africa No 1. Radio France Internationale broadcasts on FM in Lome and Kara. There were 350,000 internet users by June 2009 (Internetworldstats). The press
- Togo-Presse - government daily
- Liberte - private, daily
- Forum de la Semaine - private, daily
- Le Regard - private, weekly
- Le Combat du Peuple - private, weekly
- Nouveau Combat - private, weekly
- Carrefour - private, weekly
- Le Crocodile - private, weekly
- Motion d'Information - private, weekly
Television
- Television Togolaise (TVT) - state-run
- Telesports TV - state-run, sports, culture
- TV2 - private
- TV7 - private
- TV Zion - private, Christian
- TV Djabal'nour - private, Islamic
- Media Plus - pay-TV operator
Radio
- Radio Togolaise - state-run national radio, via shortwave, mediumwave (AM) and FM
- Radio Lome - state-run FM station for Lome
- Radio Kara - state-run station in north
- Metropolys Lome - private
- Kanal FM - private, Lome
- Radio Nostalgie - private, Lome
- Nana FM - private, Lome
- Radio Zephyr - private
- Radio Djabal'nour - private, Islamic
News agency/internet
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