Jean-Lucien Savi de Tové facts for kids

Jean-Lucien Kwassi Lanyo Savi de Tové, born on May 7, 1939, is a politician and public servant from Togo. He became the fifth president of Togo in May 2025. He is a member of the Pan-African Patriotic Convergence (CPP) political party. Before becoming president, he served as the Minister of Trade, Industry and Handicrafts from 2005 to 2007. He worked under Prime Ministers Edem Kodjo and Yawovi Agboyibo.

Mr. Savi de Tové was once a leader in the political opposition. He faced challenges and was held in prison several times during the time Gnassingbé Eyadéma was president. Later, he joined the government. When the Pan-African Patriotic Convergence (CPP) party was created in 1999, Savi de Tové was chosen as its vice president. In the 2007 Togolese parliamentary election, he ran for a seat in the National Assembly but did not win. In December 2007, he left his government position and also resigned as vice president of the CPP.

In May 2025, the Parliament of Togo chose Savi de Tové to be president. This happened after a new law was passed in 2024. This law changed how the president is chosen. Instead of people voting directly, the National Assembly now elects the president. Savi de Tové took over from Faure Gnassingbé, who is Eyadéma's son. Savi de Tové's new role is mostly ceremonial, meaning he has less power. Most of the president's old powers moved to a new role called the President of the Council of Ministers of Togo. Faure Gnassingbé took on this new role, keeping most of the executive power. When he became president, Jean-Lucien Savi de Tové was nearly 86 years old. This makes him the oldest person to become president in Togo's history.

Early Life and Education

Jean-Lucien Savi de Tové was born in Lomé, the capital city of Togo. His family belongs to the Ewe people. He studied law and graduated from the University of Bordeaux in France.

Political Journey and Public Service

Starting in Government

After a major political change in Togo in 1967, Savi de Tové was appointed Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He was only 28 years old at the time. This happened on February 6, 1967. In 1969, President Gnassingbé Eyadéma started a new political party called the Rally of the Togolese People (RPT). Savi de Tové joined this party because it was the only legal political party in Togo at that time. Togo was a one-party state, meaning only one party was allowed.

Challenges and New Beginnings

In 1974, Kouanvi Tigoue temporarily replaced Savi de Tové as Secretary-General. Later, in 1975, Kodjo de Medeiros took over the role permanently. On July 12, 1979, Savi de Tové faced accusations of planning a coup with other political figures, including Gilchrist Olympio. He was then held in prison. In August 1979, he was found guilty along with four other people and sentenced to ten years in prison.

In 1986, Savi de Tové left the RPT party. He became an independent politician, meaning he did not belong to any specific party. He took part in the 1990–1991 Togo protests. These protests were against President Eyadéma and called for multiparty politics, where many political parties are allowed.

Promoting Multiparty Politics

After multiparty politics became legal in 1991, Savi de Tové started his own party, the Party of Democrats for Unity (PDU). He played an important part in the National Conference held in July and August. This meeting brought together the opposition and the government. It led to the creation of a temporary government.

In March 1993, a group of opposition parties suggested Savi de Tové as Prime Minister. This happened during a meeting in Cotonou, Benin. They were not happy with the current Prime Minister, Joseph Kokou Koffigoh, for working with President Eyadéma. However, the government did not accept this suggestion. In 1994, Savi de Tové left the PDU. He ran as an independent candidate in the 1994 Togolese parliamentary election but was not elected. He then rejoined the PDU. In 1999, the PDU joined with other parties to form the Pan-African Patriotic Convergence (CPP). This new party was led by Edem Kodjo. Savi de Tové was chosen as the first vice-president of the CPP.

Ministerial Role and Later Activities

In June 2005, Savi de Tové was appointed Minister of Trade, Industry and Handicrafts. He kept this position when Yawovi Agboyibo became Prime Minister. Savi de Tové signed a political agreement in 2006 on behalf of the CPP. This agreement came from discussions between different groups in Togo. During the 2007 Togolese parliamentary election, he led the CPP's list of candidates in the Zio Prefecture. However, the party did not win any seats. He left his government role in December 2007. On May 27, 2009, Savi de Tové was appointed president of the Permanent Framework for Dialogue and Consultation (CPDC).

Presidency (2025–Present)

Changes to Togo's Government

In May 2024, Togo officially adopted a new constitution. This new law changed Togo from a presidential system to a parliamentary one. This means that most of the president's powers were removed. These powers were given to the prime minister, whose role was renamed the President of the Council of Ministers of Togo. The president's role became mostly ceremonial, like a symbol for the country. Also, the president is no longer chosen by direct popular vote. Instead, the National Assembly now indirectly elects the president. The president's term in office was also changed from five years to four years, and they can serve only two terms.

Taking Office as President

These changes officially began in May 2025. Jean-Lucien Savi de Tové was unanimously elected president by the National Assembly. He was sworn in right away. He became the first president of what is called the Fifth Republic of Togo. He took over from Faure Gnassingbé, who then became the President of the Council of Ministers. This means Faure Gnassingbé still holds most of the country's executive power. Savi de Tové took office just four days before his 86th birthday. This makes him the oldest president in Togo's history.

Honours

• Order of Mono – Commander (2006)