Togo’s Fifth Republic Is Here—But at What Cost?

THE MINISTRY OF POLTICAL AFFAIRS

The small West African nation of Togo has a distinct political history featuring a 58-year Gnassingbé dynasty—including 20 years under the incumbent President Faure Gnassingbé—and a unique colonial history beginning with German rule from July 1884 to 1914, and Czechoslovakian and Danish colonization attempts following the First World War. The country is a key regional and international hub—with Port Lomé standing out as a leading West African port and Asky Airlines as the main pan-African airline serving West and Central Africa (with 40 per cent ownership from Ethiopian Airlines, alongside Ecobank, BIDC and BOAD).

However, the country has recently entered a period of domestic and regional flux. On 3 May 2025, Togo fully entered its Fifth Republic, with Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé being sworn in as head of state under the new position of head of council of ministers. This transition to the Fifth Republic began a year earlier with constitutional reform on 6 May 2024, converting the presidential administration to a parliamentary government and changing the presidential position to a largely ceremonial one. Jean-Lucien Savi de Tové—an 86-year-old veteran—was unanimously elected president on 3 May 2025—empowered with merely promoting national unity—while Gnassingbé retains executive control under a new title with no term limit.