The coalition government continued on the path to establishing democracy, good governance and the rule of law in Togo in 2011. Its efforts were honoured by the international donor community with growing commitments and the cancellation of foreign debt. Domestic politics were dominated by...

The demand for political alternance, initiated by institutional and electoral reforms, constituted the major contentious issue between the government and the challengers of the Gnassingbé regime throughout the year. Civil society organizations and representatives of the Christian church...

Peaceful but undemocratic legislative elections consolidated the power of the Gnassingbé regime in 2013. In view of the absolute majority gained by the ruling party, its inclination to implement meaningful reforms, as demanded by the opposition and the donor community, was reduced further. The...

Domestic politics in Togo in 2012 were dominated by the upcoming legislative and local elections and irreconcilable differences between the ruling party on the one hand and a broad coalition of opposition parties and civil society organisations on the other. Under the growing momentum of regular...

The formal legitimization of democratic transition in Togo in 2008 by free parliamentarian elections in October 2007 was honoured by the international donor community. Generous aid and debt relief helped the ailing economy to recover. Domestic politics were already overshadowed by the decisive...

Togo's national reconciliation process initiated in 2006 continued in 2007. Largely free and fair parliamentary elections in October paved the way for the resumption of development aid after 14 years of interruption because of serious human rights violations and bad governance. The economic...

Controversial constitutional and institutional reforms voted in May 2019 in parliament opened the way for President Gnassingbé to stand for a fourth and fifth term (2020 and 2030) because the law does not apply retroactively. The first local elections since more than 30 years resulted in the...

The upcoming presidential election set for 2015 dominated political discussion. The ruling elite clearly lacked the will for constitutional and electoral reforms, which the opposition, civil society and international donors regarded as precondition for free and fair polls. The donor community...

The political accord between the government and major opposition parties in August 2006 was welcomed internationally as a major breakthrough, in view of the aftermath of rigged presidential elections and subsequent political turmoil in 2005. The formation of a transitional government of national...

The presidential elections of 25 April 2015 resulted in a victory for the incumbent, Faure Gnassingbé. Thus, he secured his third five-year term, strengthening the autocratic grip of the Gnassingbé-clan, which had been in power since 1967. The institutional and constitutional reforms that...