The Togolese Union for Democracy (french: Union togolaise pour la démocratie, UTD) was a political party in

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 ...

History

The UTD was formed in 1991 by

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 ...

as a breakaway from the former sole legal 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 ...

. The UTD won seven of the 81 seats in the 1994 parliamentary elections, during which it formed an alliance with the

Action Committee for Renewal The Action Committee for Renewal (french: Comité d'Action pour le Renouveau, CAR) is an opposition political party in Togo. Dodji Apévon has led the party since 2008; previously it was led by Yawovi Agboyibo from 1991 to 2008. History The Fro ...

(CAR) for the second round of the elections, and between them the two parties won a majority of seats, defeating the former sole legal party, the

(RPT). Although the results in three seats were annulled, one of which had been won by the UTD, the parties maintained a parliamentary majority. The parties nominated CAR leader

Yawovi Agboyibo Yawovi Madji Agboyibo (31 December 1943, Republicoftogo.com, 11 January 2007 .30 May 2020) was a Togolese attorney and politician. He served as Prime Minister of Togo from September 2006 to December 2007 and was National President of the Action ...

as Prime Minister, but the nomination was rejected by 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 ...

, who instead appointed Kodjo. This resulted in the CAR pulling out of the alliance, claiming Kodj's acceptance of the post violated the coalition agreement. As a result, Kodjo formed a government with the RPT, with most ministerial posts given to the RPT. In 1999 the party merged with the Party of Action for Democracy, the Party of Democrats for Unity and the Union for Democracy and Solidarity to form the

Pan-African Patriotic Convergence The Pan-African Patriotic Convergence (french: Convergence patriotique panafricaine) is a political party in Togo. Former Prime Minister Edem Kodjo is the President of the CPP as of 2007. The CPP was created in August 1999

.Tom Lansford (2015) ''Political Handbook of the World 2015'', CQ Press

References

{{Togolese political parties Defunct political parties in Togo 1991 establishments in Togo Political parties established in 1991 1999 disestablishments in Togo Political parties disestablished in 1999