This is a list of
prime minister
A prime minister, premier or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. Under those systems, a prime minister is not ...
s of
Togo
Togo (), officially the Togolese Republic (french: République togolaise), is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Ghana to the west, Benin to the east and Burkina Faso to the north. It extends south to the Gulf of Guinea, where its c ...
since the formation of the post of Prime Minister in 1960, to the present day.
A total of thirteen people have served as Prime Minister of Togo – twelve men and one woman. Among them, one person,
Edem Kodjo
Édouard Kodjovi "Edem" Kodjo (May 23, 1938 – April 11, 2020), was a Togolese politician and diplomat. He was Secretary-General of the Organisation of African Unity from 1978 to 1983; later, in Togo, he was a prominent opposition leader after t ...
, has served on two non-consecutive occasions.
The incumbent prime minister,
Victoire Tomegah Dogbé
Victoire Sidémého Dzidudu Dogbé Tomegah (born 23 December 1959) is a Togolese politician who has served as the prime minister of Togo since 28 September 2020. She is the first woman to hold the office.
Before becoming head of government, Tome ...
, was appointed by president
. She took the oath on 28 September 2020.
History of the office
1991 conflict with the presidency
In the months following the appointment of
Joseph Kokou Koffigoh as Prime Minister by the National Conference on 27 August 1991,
["Oct 1991 — Failure of coup attempts", ''Keesing's Record of World Events'', volume 37, October 1991, page 38,518.] the soldiers of the
Togolese Armed Forces
The Togolese Armed Forces (French: ''Forces Armées Togolaises'', FAT) is the national military of the Republic of Togo which consists of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and the National Gendarmerie. The total military expenditure during the fiscal ye ...
(FAT) loyal to President
Gnassingbé Eyadéma
Gnassingbé Eyadéma (; born Étienne Gnassingbé, 26 December 1935 – 5 February 2005) was the president of Togo from 1967 until his death in 2005, after which he was immediately succeeded by his son, Faure Gnassingbé.
Eyadéma participated i ...
repeatedly tried to oust Koffigoh:
* On 1 October 1991, the soldiers seized the national radio and television station and demanded that Koffigoh resign
["Effort to oust Togo's interim leader fails", ''Deseret News'', 1 October 1991.] before leaving the station; Koffigoh said afterwards on the radio that order was restored.[
* On 8 October 1991, the soldiers unsuccessfully tried to kidnap Koffigoh, and four people were reported killed in protests and violence that followed.
* In late November 1991, the soldiers began a siege of Koffigoh's official residence in ]Lomé
Lomé is the capital and largest city of Togo. It has an urban population of 837,437 after Eyadéma's party, the Rally of the Togolese People
The Rally of the Togolese People (french: Rassemblement du Peuple Togolais, RPT) was the ruling political party in Togo from 1969 to 2012. It was founded by President Gnassingbé Eyadéma and headed by his son, President Faure Gnassingbé, after t ...
(RPT), was banned by the transitional High Council of the Republic (HCR).["Togo Leader Adds to Cabinet to End Crisis"]
''The New York Times'', 2 January 1992. They demanded that Koffigoh's government be replaced and threatening to "reduce the city to ashes";
Associated Press, 30 November 1991. they also demanded that the RPT be legalized again and that the HCR be dissolved.
''The New York Times'', 1 December 1991. Koffigoh called for French military
A military, also known collectively as armed forces, is a heavily armed, highly organized force primarily intended for warfare. It is typically authorized and maintained by a sovereign state, with its members identifiable by their distinct ...
aid. Eyadéma publicly called on the soldiers to return to their barracks and expressed continued trust in Koffigoh, but also invited him to begin consultations on the formation of a new national unity government.[ After two days of talks, the soldiers lifted their siege;][ however, they promptly resumed it. Koffigoh then offered to include supporters of Eyadéma in the government, but he refused to dissolve his government altogether, and he again called for French aid."Togo's Prime Minister Proposes Compromise"]
''The New York Times'', 3 December 1991. On 3 December 1991, the soldiers succeeded in capturing Koffigoh in a heavy assault on his official residence, involving tanks and machine guns. Many people were killed in this violence:
''The New York Times'', 4 December 1991.
Reuters, 5 December 1991. at least 17,[ and possibly more than 200.][ The soldiers then took Koffigoh to meet with Eyadéma,][ who was widely believed to have been behind the soldiers' actions, although he did not take responsibility for them. Later on the same day, Eyadéma released a statement saying that he and Koffigoh would form a new transitional government. Although Koffigoh remained in office, his power was considered curtailed.][ On 31 December, a new government headed by Koffigoh was announced, including three members of the RPT; most members of the previous government remained in their posts.][
]
Duties and competences
The President of the Republic appoints the Prime Minister. He terminates his functions.[Article 66 of the Constitution of 1992.]
The Prime Minister is the head of the Government. He directs the action of the Government and coordinates the functions of the other members. He presides over the Committees of Defense. He substitutes for, the case arising, the President of the Republic in the presidency of the Councils provided for in Articles 66 and 72 of this Constitution. He assures the interim of the head of the State in case of incapacity for cause of illness or of absence from the national territory.[Article 78 of the Constitution of 1992.]
Before his entry into office, the Prime Minister presents before the National Assembly the program of action of his Government.
The National Assembly accords its confidence to him by a vote with the absolute majority of its members.
The Prime Minister assures the execution of the laws.[Article 79 of the Constitution of 1992.]
He may delegate certain of his powers to the ministers.
The acts of the President of the Republic other than those provided for in Articles 4, 66, 68, 73, 74, 98, 100, 104 and 109 of this Constitution, are countersigned by the Prime Minister or, the case arising, by the Ministers given the charge of their execution.[Article 80 of the Constitution of 1992.]
List of officeholders
;Key
Political parties
Other factions
See also
*List of presidents of Togo
This is a list of presidents of Togo since the formation of the post of president in 1960, to the present day.
A total of four people have served as president (not counting one acting president and two interim military officeholders). Additiona ...
*List of colonial governors of Togo
This article lists the colonial governors of Togo. It encompasses the period when the country was under colonial rule of the German Empire (as Togoland), military occupation of the territory by the Allies of World War I (during the Togoland c ...
*Politics of Togo
Politics of Togo takes place in a framework of a presidential republic, whereby the President of Togo is both head of state and head of government. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government ...
References
External links
World Statesmen – Togo
1992 Constitution of Togo (as amended in 2007)
{{Heads of state and government of Africa
*
Togo
Togo (), officially the Togolese Republic (french: République togolaise), is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Ghana to the west, Benin to the east and Burkina Faso to the north. It extends south to the Gulf of Guinea, where its c ...
Prime Ministers
A prime minister, premier or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. Under those systems, a prime minister is no ...