nd

Government type:
republic under transition to multiparty democratic rule

Capital:
Lome

Administrative divisions:
5 regions (regions, singular - region); Kara, Plateaux, Savanes,
Centrale, Maritime

Independence:
27 April 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship)

National holiday:
Independence Day, 27 April (1960)

Constitution:
multiparty draft constitution approved by High Council of the
Republic 1 July 1992, adopted by public referendum 27 September 1992

Legal system:
French-based court system

Suffrage:
NA years of age; universal adult

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Faure GNASSINGBE (since 6 February 2005);
note - Gnassingbe EYADEMA died on 5 February 2005 and was succeeded
by his son, Faure GNASSINGBE; popular elections in April 2005
validated the succession
head of government: Prime Minister Edem KODJO (since 8 June 2005)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president and the
prime minister
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
election last held 24 April 2005 (next to be held NA); prime
minister appointed by the president
election results: Faure GNASSINGBE elected president; percent of
vote - Faure GNASSINGBE 60.2%, Emmanuel Akitani BOB 38.3%, Nicolas
LAWSON 1.0%, Harry OLYMPIO 0.6%

Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly (81 seats; members are elected by
popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 27 October 2002 (next to be held NA 2007)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -
RPT 72, RSDD 3, UDPS 2, Juvento 2, MOCEP 1, independents 1
note: two opposition parties boycotted the election, the Union of
the Forces for Change, and the Action Committee for Renewal

Judicial branch:
Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; Supreme Court or Cour Supreme

Political parties and leaders:
Juvento [Monsilia DJATO]; Movement of the Believers of Peace and
Equality or MOCEP [leader NA]; Rally for the Support for Development
and Democracy or RSDD [Harry OLYMPIO]; Rally of the Togolese People
or RPT [Faure GNASSINGBE]; Union for Democracy and Social Progress
or UDPS [Gagou KOKOU]
note: Rally of the Togolese People or RPT, led by President
GNASSINGBE, was the only party until the formation of multiple
parties was legalized 12 April 1991

Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA

International organization partic