Happy Togo Independence Day

Today Togo celebrated 49 years of independence from its former colonial power France. According to the government news site RepublicofTogo.com, this was the first time there was a substantial celebratory event at the national government level. For many years under Gnassingbe Eyadema’s rule it was forbidden to celebrate this day. Only the 13 January was celebrated – the day Eyadema shot Togo’s only ever properly elected president Sylvanus Olympio in 1963. I remember when in 1991 for the first time the Togolese people were allowed again to mark this important date in their country’s history.

So Vive le Togo et vive la democracie!

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