Yawovi Agboyibo facts for kids

Yawovi Madji Agboyibo (born December 31, 1943 – died May 30, 2020) was an important lawyer and politician from Togo. He served as the Prime Minister of Togo from September 2006 to December 2007. He was also the leader of a political party called the Action Committee for Renewal (CAR), which was an opposition party, from 1991 to 2008. Later, he became the Honorary President of the CAR.

Early Life and Education

Yawovi Agboyibo was born in 1943 in a place called Kouvé, which is in the Yoto Prefecture of Togo. His parents were Soklou Agboyibo and Doafio.

Early Career and Human Rights Work

Agboyibo became a lawyer and worked hard to protect human rights. In March 1985, he was elected to the National Assembly (Togo's parliament). He won his seat as an independent candidate, meaning he didn't belong to a specific political party at that time.

In 1987, the President of Togo, Gnassingbé Eyadéma, chose Agboyibo to lead the National Commission for Human Rights. This group was set up by the government to help protect people's rights. Agboyibo worked in this role until 1990.

He was elected to the National Assembly again in 1990. He also belonged to the Togolese League of Human Rights. From 1990 to 1991, he was the head of a group that worked against unfair treatment based on tribe or region.

Forming the Action Committee for Renewal

In the early 1990s, Agboyibo played a big part in the movement for democracy in Togo. He led a group called the Front of Associations for Revival (FAR). In 1991, he changed the FAR into a political party, which he named the Action Committee for Renewal (CAR).

From 1990 to 1995, he was also a member of the Vatican's group for justice and peace. In 1993, he received the first German Africa Prize for his work.

Presidential Elections and Political Challenges

Agboyibo tried to become president in the 1993 Togolese presidential election. However, he and another opposition candidate decided to stop their campaigns because they were worried about cheating in the election. They believed too many people were registered to vote.

In the 1994 Togolese parliamentary election, Agboyibo was elected to the National Assembly again. His party, the CAR, and its allies almost had enough seats to form the government. But some election results were changed, and they lost their majority.

Agboyibo was nominated by his party to run for president again in the 1998 Togolese presidential election. He raised concerns about problems with the voter list. After the election, he said the official results were wrong and that another opposition candidate had actually won.

In 2001, Agboyibo faced legal challenges. He was briefly held, but an appeal court later ruled in his favor. He was released in March 2002 by President Eyadéma, who said it was for "national reconciliation."

Agboyibo ran for president one more time in the 2003 Togolese presidential election. He finished third, but he claimed that the official results were incorrect and that the election was unfair.

Becoming Prime Minister

In 2006, Yawovi Agboyibo was chosen to be the Prime Minister of Togo. This was announced on September 16, 2006. Four days later, he formed his government, which included 35 ministers.

In the 2007 Togolese parliamentary election, Agboyibo ran as a CAR candidate and won a seat in the parliament.

After the election, Agboyibo resigned as Prime Minister in November 2007. He said his job was done. People thought he might be chosen again, but a different person, Komlan Mally, became the new Prime Minister in December 2007. Agboyibo chose not to take his seat in the National Assembly.

Later Political Life

In October 2008, Agboyibo decided to step down as the leader of the CAR party. This was unusual for a political leader in Togo. He was replaced by Dodji Apévon. However, Agboyibo was still chosen to be the party's candidate for the 2010 Togolese presidential election, and he became the Honorary President of the CAR.

In 2010, Agboyibo published a book about politics in Africa. In his book, he talked about how politicians should focus on what's best for the people. He also said that talking and working together are very important in politics.

In the 2010 presidential election, Agboyibo finished third.

Death

Yawovi Agboyibo passed away in France on Saturday, May 30, 2020, at the age of 76. He had been ill for a short time.

See Also

In Spanish: Yawovi Agboyibo para niños