Government and Politics of Togo

Government Type

republic under transition to multiparty democratic rule

Administrative Divisions

5 regions (regions, singular - region); Kara, Plateaux, Savanes, Centrale, Maritime

Legal System

French-based court system

Suffrage

NA years of age; universal adult

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Togo dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

Executive Branch

chief of state: President Faure GNASSINGBE (since 6 February 2005); note - Gnassingbe EYADEMA, who had ruled Togo since 1967, died on 5 February 2005 and was succeeded by his son, Faure GNASSINGBE; popular elections subsequently validated the succession, and GNASSINGBE has since been re-elected multiple times, most recently in February 2020 head of government: Prime Minister Victoire Tomegah DOGBE (since 28 September 2020); note - DOGBE became Togo's first female prime minister upon her appointment cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president and the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held on 22 February 2020 (next to be held in 2025); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Faure GNASSINGBE re-elected president in 2020; percent of vote - Faure GNASSINGBE 72.4%, Agbeyome KODJO 18.4%, Jean-Pierre FABRE 4.4%, other candidates combined approximately 4.8%

Legislative Branch

Unicameral National Assembly (113 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) Elections: last held on 29 April 2024 (next to be held in 2029) Election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - UNIR 108, NET 1, ADDI 1, independents 3 Note: Togo transitioned to a parliamentary system under a new constitution adopted in 2024, shifting executive power away from the presidency toward a Council of Ministers led by a President of the Council. The National Assembly continues to serve as the country's sole legislative chamber, though its role has been significantly elevated under the restructured system of government.

Judicial Branch

Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; Supreme Court or Cour Supreme

Political Parties

Juvento [Monsilia DJATO]; Movement of the Believers of Peace and Equality or MOCEP [leader NA]; Rally for the Support for Development and Democracy or RSDD [Harry OLYMPIO]; Rally of the Togolese People or RPT [Faure GNASSINGBE]; Union for Democracy and Social Progress or UDPS [Gagou KOKOU]

Head of State

President Faure GNASSINGBE

Head of Government

Prime Minister Victoire Tomegah DOGBE

Cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president and the prime minister

Elections

last held on 29 April 2024 (next to be held in 2029)

Election Results

percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - UNIR 108, NET 1, ADDI 1, independents 3 Note: Togo transitioned to a parliamentary system under a new constitution adopted in 2024, shifting executive power away from the presidency toward a Council of Ministers led by a President of the Council. The National Assembly continues to serve as the country's sole legislative chamber, though its role has been significantly elevated under the restructured system of government.

Constitution

multiparty draft constitution approved by High Council of the Republic 1 July 1992; adopted by public referendum 27 September 1992

Independence

27 April 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship)

National Holiday

Independence Day, 27 April (1960)

International Organization Participation

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, MICAH, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.

chief of mission: Ambassador Akoussoulelou BODJONA chancery: 2208 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 234-4212 FAX: [1] (202) 232-3190

U.S. Diplomatic Representation

chief of mission: Ambassador Gregory ENGLE embassy: Angle Rue Kouenou and Rue 15 Beniglato, Lome mailing address: B. P. 852, Lome telephone: [228] 221 29 91 through 221 29 94 FAX: [228] 221 79 52

Capital City

Lome

Location

6 07 N, 1 13 E

Time Difference

UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

History

Lome comes from "alotime" which in the native Ewe language means "among the alo plants"; alo trees dominated the city's original founding site

Embassy Lomé The U.S. Embassy is located on Boulevard Eyadema, Neighborhood Cité OUA, in Lomé, Togo. The local mailing address is B.P. 852, Lomé. Telephone: (228) 22 61 54 70 Facsimile: (228) 22 61 54 99 Email: consularlome@state.gov

Military Branches

Togolese Armed Forces (Forces Armees Togolaise, FAT): Togolese Army (l'Armee de Terre), Togolese Navy (Forces Naval Togolaises), Togolese Air Force (Force Aerienne Togolaise, TAF), National Gendarmerie

Service Age and Obligation

18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; 2-year service obligation