The Togolese Republic became independent in 1960. Sylvanus Olympio, Togo’s first president, was assassinated in 1963. In 1967, Gnassingbé Eyadéma came into power and ruled Togo as a dictator until his death in 2005. Eyadéma sustained his power through brutal force. Under his rule many Togolese citizens were arbitrarily detained, tortured, and killed. When Eyadéma died in 2005 the Togolese military seized power and installed his son Faure Gnassingbé as the nation's new president. Faure has been the president of Togo since then and he has continued his father’s brutal policies. In August 2017 the people of Togo began protesting for an end to five decades of dictatorship. The government of Togo has responded to these protests with its usual show of force. Protesters have been arrested, beaten, tortured, and killed. The international community has remained largely silent about this ongoing situation.

The current regime in Togo is the oldest military dictatorship on the African continent and during the five decades that this regime has been in power it has enjoyed the support of Western governments, including the United States and France. The government of Togo is one of the worst abusers of human rights in Africa and we believe that in order for the people of Togo to achieve their aspirations to live in a free and democratic society, the international community must make a greater effort to support the Togolese people in their struggle and this means withdrawing support from the present regime in Togo.