List of presidents of Togo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids President of the Togolese Republic
Presidential Standard
Incumbent Jean-Lucien Savi de Tové since 3 May 2025
Residence	New Presidential Palace, Lomé
Appointer	National Assembly
Term length	Six years, non renewable
Constituting instrument	Constitution of Togo (2024)
Formation	27 April 1960; 65 years ago (1960-04-27)
First holder	Sylvanus Olympio

Togo is a country in West Africa. Like many countries, it has a President who is the leader. This article lists all the people who have been President of Togo since the country became independent in 1960.

So far, four different people have served as president. This count does not include those who served temporarily. One person, Faure Gnassingbé, has been president twice. He first served for a short time after his father passed away in 2005. He then resigned and was elected again later that year. He is the current president.

For most of its history, Togo's president had a lot of power. They were both the head of state (the country's official representative) and the head of government (the person in charge of running the country). This meant they made many important decisions about Togo's future.

However, in April 2024, some big changes were made to Togo's laws. The president's role became more about representing the country. The country moved towards a system where the prime minister and the parliament have more power. Even with these changes, the president is still the leader of the Togolese Armed Forces (the military). The president also still chooses who becomes the prime minister.

The President's Job

How the President is Chosen

Before 2024, the people of Togo directly voted for their president. The president served for five years and could be re-elected. There was a rule that a president could only serve two terms. This rule was put back into the Constitution of Togo in 2019. However, this limit was sometimes removed for past presidents.

After the changes in 2024, the president is no longer chosen directly by the people. Instead, the members of the National Assembly (Togo's parliament) now elect the president.

Taking the Oath of Office

Before a new president starts their job, they must take an important promise called an oath. They say this oath in front of the Constitutional Court. This promise shows they will do their best for the country.

The president promises to:

Before God and before the Togolese people, who are the true rulers, I _____, elected President of the Republic by the laws, solemnly promise.

— to respect and protect the Constitution that the Togolese people have freely chosen;

— to faithfully do the important duties that the Nation has given me.

— to always be guided by what is best for everyone. I will respect human rights and use all my energy to help Togo grow, to bring peace, and to keep the country united;

— to protect all of Togo's land;

— to always act as a loyal and true servant of the People.

When the President's Job is Empty

Sometimes, the president's job might become empty. This can happen if the president passes away, resigns, or can no longer do their job. If this happens, the leader of the National Assembly takes over temporarily.

The Constitutional Court officially announces that the position is empty. Then, the government must arrange for a new president to be elected within 60 days.

Presidential Homes

After Togo became independent, its first presidents used the Palace of the Governors. This building was also used by the leaders from Germany and France when they ruled Togo.

In 1970, President Gnassingbé Eyadéma moved into a new Presidential Palace. This new palace was built close to the old Palace of the Governors. He also used another home called the Presidential Residence of Lomé II.

In 2006, a brand new Presidential Palace was opened by President Faure Gnassingbé. This palace was built with help from China and is located outside the city of Lomé.

Leaders of Togo

Here is a list of the people who have served as President of Togo.

Political parties

     Committee of Togolese Unity (CUT)      Togolese People's Movement (MPT)      Rally of the Togolese People (RPT)      Union for the Republic (UNIR)

Other groups

     Military

Special notes

     This means the person was serving temporarily

Symbols

Elected unopposed

Presidential referendum

Died in office

No.	Portrait	Name (Born–Died)	Elected	Time in Office			Political party	Prime minister(s)
				Started	Ended	How long they served
1		Sylvanus Olympio (1902–1963)	1961	27 April 1960	13 January 1963 (Killed in a coup)	2 years, 261 days	CUT	Himself
—		Emmanuel Bodjollé (1928–?)	—	13 January 1963	15 January 1963	2 days	Military	Position abolished
2		Nicolas Grunitzky (1913–1969)	1963	16 January 1963	13 January 1967 (Removed in a coup)	3 years, 362 days	MPT	Position abolished
—		Kléber Dadjo (1914–1988/89)	—	16 January 1967	14 April 1967	91 days	Military	Position abolished
3		Gnassingbé Eyadéma (1935–2005)	—	14 April 1967	5 February 2005	37 years, 297 days	Military (until 1969)	Koffigoh E. Kodjo Klutse Adoboli A. Kodjo Sama
			1972 1979 1986 1993 1998 2003				RPT
4		Faure Gnassingbé (born 1966)	—	5 February 2005	25 February 2005 (Resigned)	20 days	RPT	Sama
—		Bonfoh Abass (1948–2021)	—	25 February 2005	4 May 2005	68 days	RPT	Sama
(4)		Faure Gnassingbé (born 1966)	2005 2010	4 May 2005	Incumbent	20 years, 47 days	RPT (until 2012)	Sama E. Kodjo Agboyibo Mally Houngbo Ahoomey-Zunu Klassou Dogbé
			2015 2020				UNIR

Timeline of Presidents

See also

In Spanish: Anexo:Presidentes de Togo para niños

• Vice President of Togo
• List of prime ministers of Togo
• List of colonial governors of Togo
• Politics of Togo