Fact Check: Togo has been ruled by the Gnassingbé family since 2005.

Fact Check: "Togo has been ruled by the Gnassingbé family since 2005"

What We Know

The claim that Togo has been ruled by the Gnassingbé family since 2005 is based on the political history of the country. Gnassingbé Eyadema, the father of the current president, Faure Gnassingbé, seized power in Togo through a military coup in 1967 and ruled until his death in 2005. Following Eyadema's death, Faure Gnassingbé was appointed as president by the military, marking the continuation of the Gnassingbé family's rule in Togo (source-1, source-3). Since then, Faure has been re-elected multiple times amid allegations of electoral fraud and political repression, with his current term potentially extending until 2030 due to recent constitutional changes (source-6).

Analysis

The assertion that the Gnassingbé family has ruled Togo since 2005 is partially true. While it is accurate that Faure Gnassingbé has been in power since 2005, the family's rule actually began with his father, Gnassingbé Eyadema, who ruled for 38 years prior. This historical context is crucial because it highlights that the Gnassingbé family's influence in Togo extends back to 1967, not just to 2005.

The reliability of the sources used to support this claim varies. The BBC and Bloomberg are reputable news organizations known for their journalistic standards, providing credible information regarding the political landscape in Togo (source-1, source-3). In contrast, sources like Good Authority, while informative, may not have the same level of editorial oversight (source-8).

The ongoing political situation in Togo, including allegations of electoral fraud and the recent constitutional changes aimed at extending presidential terms, further complicates the narrative. These developments suggest that the Gnassingbé family's grip on power is not just a matter of historical succession but also involves contemporary political maneuvers to maintain control (source-6).

Conclusion

The claim that Togo has been ruled by the Gnassingbé family since 2005 is partially true. While Faure Gnassingbé has indeed been in power since 2005, the family's rule actually began in 1967 with his father, Gnassingbé Eyadema. Therefore, the assertion overlooks the broader historical context of the family's political dominance in Togo.