Download This PaperTogo – 2019: Domestic Politics, Foreign Affairs, Socio-Economic Development
Kohnert, Dirk (2020): Togo. In: Adetula, V. et al. (eds.), Africa Yearbook, Volume 16 – Politics, economy and society South of the Sahara in 2019. Leiden & Boston: Brill, 2020, Forthcoming
21 Pages Posted: 24 Mar 2020
Date Written: February 14, 2020
Abstract
Controversial constitutional and institutional reforms voted in May 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 victory of the ruling party. Grand expectations of the opposition which had hoped for a fundamental change at least at the grassroots were again dashed. The human rights situation sharply deteriorated due to growing political and social tensions related to the prospects of the head of state running for a fourth term. Islamist terrorist violence spread from Mali to the northern frontier region of Togo. The autonomous deep-water port of Lomé developed as a growth pole and hub for the sub-region. China became the major partner beside the established partners the EU, France and Germany. The informal sector still dominated the economy. Economic freedom remained with the overall status 'mostly unfree'.
Keywords: Togo, West Africa, African Studies, domestic politics, foreign affairs, socio-economic development,
JEL Classification: F35, N97, O17, O55, Z13
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