Constitutional and succession crisis in West Africa: the case of Togo

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Periodical article

Title:	Constitutional and succession crisis in West Africa: the case of Togo
Author:	Banjo, Adewale
Year:	2006
Periodical:	African Journal of Legal Studies (ISSN 1708-7384)
Volume:	2
Issue:	2
Pages:	147-161
Language:	English
Geographic terms:	West Africa Togo
Subjects:	succession heads of State constitutions presidential elections 2005
About person:	Etienne Eyadema Gnassingbé (1937-2005)
External link:	https://doi.org/10.1163/221097312x13397499736624
Abstract:	The politics of succession in postindependence West Africa has left much to be desired and, by extension, has affected the quality of democracy and human security in the subregion. This article briefly assesses succession politics in Togo, a small West African nation of approximately 5 million people, following the death of President Gnassingbe Eyadema, one of Africa's longest serving dictators, in 2005. The author describes the military takeover and subsequent election that legitimized the illegal take over of power by Eyadema's son despite sustained domestic opposition from politicians and civil society, as well as subregional, regional and international condemnation of a Constitutional coup d'état in Togo. The article concludes that the succession crisis in Togo is far from over, given the continuing manipulation of what the author calls the geo-ethnic divide in that country. Ref., sum. [Journal abstract]