50th Independence Anniversary

Republic of Togo in Brief

Togo Flag Meaning:
The red square symbolizes the loyalty and the patriotism of the people towards their country. The green represents hope, fertility and agriculture. Yellow stands for the country's mineral wealth and the faith that hard work and strength will bring prosperity. The white star represents life, purity, peace, dignity and Togo's independence. The five stripes represent the nation's five distinct geographical regions.

Togo Flag History:
The Togo flag was adopted on April 27, 1960 when Togo gained independence from France. Togo's flag features the pan-African colors of red, yellow and green, which have been adopted by many African ex-colonies and which symbolize African independence and unity. The colors are believed to have originated from the flag of Ethiopia, the oldest independent nation in Africa.

Interesting Togo Flag Facts:
Mr. Ahyi Paul, who was a student in France at the time, designed the Togo flag, which he entered in a 1958 flag competition.

Moto:  "Travail, Liberté, Patrie" (French) "Work, Liberty, Homeland"

Song from the group: The Seeds -

National Anthem

Salut à toi pays de nos aïeux, 
Toi que les rendait forts, 
Paisibles et joyeux, 
Cultivant vertu, vaillance, 
Pour la prospérité 
Que viennent les tyrans, 
Ton cœur soupire vers la liberté, 
Togo debout, luttons sans défaillance, 
Vainquons ou mourrons,mais dans la dignité, 
Grand Dieu, toi seul nous a exaltés, 
Du Togo pour la prospérité,
Togolais viens,bâtissons la cité.

Presidents of Togo

Sylvanus Olympio (1902 – January 13, 1963) elected as first post-independence president. Olympio served as the Prime Minister of Togo from 1958 to 1961, during which time he held elections to consolidate his power. He then served as the first President of Togo between 1961 and 1963. Olympio was assassinated in a military coup d'état on January 13, 1963

1963

Emmanuel Bodjollé - ( 13 Jan 1963 - 15 Jan 1963)

Nicolas Grunitzky - (April 5, 1913 - Sept 27, 1969), second president of Togo. He replaced Olympio who was assassinated January 13, 1963 and was president from 1963 to 1967.

1967

Kléber Dadjo, (b. 1914 - d. 1979) 14 Jan 1967 - 14 Apr 1967  Mil

Etiènne Gnassinbgé Éyadéma, a participant in the 1963 coup, he later seize power in 1967, political parties dissolved. He was president from April 14, 1967 to February 5, 2005.

2005

Faure Gnassingbé seized control from 5 February 2005 to 25 February 2005 after the death of his father.

Bonfoh Abbass, acting president from 25 February 2005 to 4 May 2005.

Faure Gnassingbé, president from May 4, 2005 to present.