Fact Check: "Togo's President Faure Gnassingbe has ruled since 2005."
What We Know
Faure Gnassingbé has been the President of Togo since 2005. He succeeded his father, Gnassingbé Eyadéma, who ruled the country for 38 years before his death in February 2005. Following Eyadéma's death, the military installed Faure Gnassingbé as president, which led to significant unrest and protests. In response to international pressure, he held elections in April 2005, which he won amid allegations of fraud (BBC News). Since then, he has been re-elected multiple times, specifically in 2010, 2015, and 2020, with each election facing criticism from opposition parties regarding their legitimacy (Wikipedia).
Analysis
The claim that Faure Gnassingbé has ruled since 2005 is accurate. His presidency began under contentious circumstances, as the military's decision to install him was met with protests and accusations of a coup. The legitimacy of his subsequent elections has also been a point of contention. For instance, the 2020 elections were marred by allegations of widespread fraud, which the opposition claimed undermined the democratic process (BBC News).
The sources used here are credible, with Wikipedia providing a comprehensive overview of Togo's political history and the BBC offering a more journalistic perspective on current events and governance issues in Togo. Both sources highlight the political instability and the authoritarian nature of governance under both Gnassingbé Eyadéma and his son, Faure Gnassingbé.
However, the reliability of the information can be influenced by the political context; for example, the BBC's coverage may reflect a Western perspective critical of African governance, while Wikipedia's open-edit nature can sometimes lead to variations in the accuracy of details depending on the contributors.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The statement that "Togo's President Faure Gnassingbé has ruled since 2005" is accurate. He has been in power since his father's death in February 2005, and despite the controversies surrounding his rise to power and subsequent elections, he remains the current president of Togo.
