Español
  Français

The Government and Political System in Togo

You are here: Countries / Togo

Togo has a republic form of government which is currently under transition to multi-party democratic rule. Under normal conditions it is run through the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches for national government administration, and the five regions for local government administration. The Executive Branch consists of the President as head of state who is elected for a 5-year term; a Prime Minister who is head of government and appointed by the President; and a Cabinet consisting of the Council of Ministers who are the heads of various government ministries and who are appointed by the President. The Legislative Branch is the unicameral National Assembly with 81 members elected for 5-year terms. The Judicial Branch, which operates on a French-based legal system, is composed of the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court.

The Council of Ministers is composed of the heads of the following ministries: Foreign Affairs and Cooperation; Territorial Administration, Decentralization and Local Authorities; Cooperation, Development and Country Planning; Justice; Health; Security; and Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fishing.

For local government administration, the country is divided into the regions of Savanes, Kara, Centrale, Plateaux and Maritime, which are subdivided into 30 prefectures and communes. The cities are also part of the local government. They are the cities of Lome, Atakpame, Kpalime, Badou, Aneho, Kara, Dapaong and Sokode. The country also maintains relations with other countries.