Government
Type: Republic.
Independence: April 27, 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship).
Constitution: Adopted 1992.
Branches: Executive--president (chief of state); prime minister (head of government). Legislative--National Assembly. Judicial--Supreme Court.
Subdivisions: 30 prefectures.
Political parties: Rassemblement du Peuple Togolais (RPT); Union des Forces de Changement (UFC); Comite d'action pour le Renouveau (CAR), Pan-African Patriotic Convergence Party (CPP).
Suffrage: Universal adult.
National holiday: Independence Day, April 27.

TOGO GOVERNMENT AND TOGO POLITICAL CONDITIONS
Togo has a transitional unity government in preparation for legislative elections. President Gnassingbe faces a significant challenge, treading lightly with entrenched ruling party interests while trying to implement democratic reforms and revive Togo's deteriorating economy. Togo's long-suffering population has seen its living standards decline precipitously since the 1980s.

The Togolese judiciary is modeled on the French system. For administrative purposes, Togo is divided into 30 prefectures, each having an appointed prefect.

Principal Government Officials
President--Faure Gnassingbe
Prime Minister--Yawovi Agboyibo
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation--Zarifou Ayeva
Minister of Justice--Sela Polo
Minister of Defense and Veteran Affairs--Kpatcha Gnassingbe
Minister of Security--Atcha Titikpina

Next Elections Scheduled
Presidential elections--2010
Legislative elections--October 14, 2007
Local elections--TBA in 2008.