Legal System of Togo

Togo is located in Africa. It is geographically situated in western africa, bordering the bight of benin, between benin and ghana. The country achieved independence on 27 april 1960 (from french-administered un trusteeship). The capital is Lome.

Government Overview

Government Type: presidential republic Chief of State: President Jean-Lucien Kwassi Savi de TOVE (since 3 May 2025) Head of Government: President of Council of Ministers Faure GNASSINGBE (since 3 May 2025) Cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the advice of the president of the council of ministers Administrative Divisions: 5 regions (régions, singular - région); Centrale, Kara, Maritime, Plateaux, Savanes National Holiday: Independence Day, 27 April (1960) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Legal System

The legal system of Togo is described as customary law system International Law: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; non-party state to the ICCt

Constitutional Framework

The constitution has the following history: several previous; latest adopted 27 September 1992, effective 14 October 1992; revised 6 May 2024 Amendment Process: proposed by the president of the republic or supported by at least one fifth of the National Assembly membership; passage requires four-fifths majority vote by the Assembly; a referendum is required if approved by only two-thirds majority of the Assembly or if requested by the president; constitutional articles on the republican and secular form of government cannot be amended

Judicial Branch

Highest Court(s): Supreme Court or Cour Suprême (organized into criminal and administrative chambers, each with a chamber president and advisors); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges, including the court president) Judge Selection: Supreme Court president appointed by decree of the president of the republic on the proposal of the Supreme Council of the Magistracy, a 9-member judicial, advisory, and disciplinary body; other judicial appointments and judge tenure NA; Constitutional Court judges appointed by the National Assembly; judge tenure NA Subordinate Courts: Court of Assizes (sessions court); Appeal Court; tribunals of first instance (divided into civil, commercial, and correctional chambers; Court of State Security; military tribunal

Legislative Branch

The legislative structure consists of bicameral Note: note: party lists are required to contain equal numbers of men and women Lower Chamber: National Assembly (Assemblée nationale) (113 (all directly elected) seats) Electoral System (Lower Chamber): proportional representation Upper Chamber: Senate (Sénat)

Citizenship and Suffrage

Citizenship by Birth: no Citizenship by Descent: at least one parent must be a citizen of Togo Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Historical Background

From the 11th to the 16th centuries, various ethnic groups settled the Togo region. From the 16th to the 18th centuries, the coastal region became a major trading center for enslaved people, and the surrounding region took on the name of "The Slave Coast." In 1884, Germany declared the area a protectorate called Togoland, which included present-day Togo. After World War I, colonial rule over Togo was transferred to France. French Togoland became Togo upon independence in 1960.

Gen.

This article provides a summary of the legal system and governmental structure of Togo based on the CIA World Factbook. The Factbook is a public domain publication of the United States Central Intelligence Agency.