Togo: Politics, economy and society in 2009

Domestic politics in Togo in 2009 was dominated by the preparation for the decisive 2010 presidential elections and by the aggravating family feud within the ruling Gnassingbé clan. In April, the latter culminated in an alleged coup plot of Kpatcha Gnassingbé, the junior half-brother of the Head of State, which involved also other members of the 'family' which were imprisoned without official arraignment until the end of the year. The international donor community rewarded political reforms. Economic growth was negatively affected by the global economic and financial crisis.