When the longest-serving African dictator, Gnassingbé Eyadéma, died unexpectedly in February after 38 years of autocratic rule, political conflict flared up again. His son, Faure Gnassingbé sized power in a coup with the backing of the army and the Barons of the ruling party. Violent protest...

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...