Togo
Togo exhibits mid-range performance in all categories of the Global State of Democracy framework. Over the last five years, it has experienced significant improvements in the Rule of Law and Predictable Enforcement but its performance in Freedom of the Press has deteriorated. Togo is a low-income country, with an economy heavily dependent on agriculture. It is one of the largest phosphate producers in the world.
The land that is today Togo was long dominated by a variety of West African kingdoms and later became known as the “Slave Coast.” From the late 19th century until independence in 1960, Togo was at various points under the control of Germany, the United Kingdom, and finally France. Togo has been ruled by two presidents since 1967: Gnassingbé Eyadéma (until 2005) and his son, Faure Gnassingbé, since then. These leaders have held onto power through strategies of repression and patronage; the ruling party holds a large majority of legislative seats. Despite the relative weakness of opposition parties, they have been able to influence the national conversation from time to time, particularly with regards to term limits. Nevertheless, a 2019 reform allows the current president to maintain his office until 2030.
For the Togolese people, the principle issues are development, democracy, and corruption. The country performs poorly on key indices of development, as poor health and education inhibit Togo’s economic potential. While the government has made large-scale investments in infrastructure, it has not been able to lift the majority of the population out of poverty. Togo’s opposition began to hold rallies again in early 2023 after a two-year ban, criticizing the government for inaction on the worsening security situation in the North. Opposition parties also regularly refuse to recognize election results and call for protests against the government and its repressive tactics. Finally, corruption is a major concern for Togolese citizens, as graft is widespread and financial scandals regularly erupt.
Issues of discrimination are salient in Togo. Having between 20 and 40 ethnic groups, Togo is an ethnically diverse country. Although citizens are guaranteed equality before the law, civil and military services have been dominated by northern ethnic groups, especially the Kabye tribe, which has been a recurring source of political tension and discrimination. In particular, the Éwé ethnic group, while the largest in the country, is underrepresented in positions of power and in the military.
In terms of Gender Equality, Togo has seen improvements over the past two decades. Recent developments include reforms that provide a legislative framework to improve women’s rights in the area of social protection, inheritance and criminal law. However, women’s representation in public life remains low, and women continue to face widespread intimate partner violence. Furthermore, LGBTQIA+ people face discriminatory attitudes and criminalization of same-sex conduct.
Over the coming years, it will be important to watch Personal Integrity and Security, considering the recent in northern Togo – driven by events in neighboring West African countries. Rule of Law should also be monitored given the recent.
Monthly Event Reports
April 2023 | State of emergency in northern region extended
A state of emergency in the region of Savanes in the north of Togo has been extended for another year by the legislature. The state of emergency was first declared by President Faure Gnassingbé in June 2022 in response to violence perpetrated by jihadist groups operating out of Burkina Faso. Such attacks have continued over the last year. The state of emergency aims to preserve the integrity and security of the national territory and allows the military and police to restrict movement and assembly, and to question individuals who they believe to present a security threat.
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GSoD Indices Data 2013-2022
Basic Information
Human Rights Treaties
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Global State of Democracy Indices
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Factors of Democratic Performance Over Time
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