The prime minister of Togo (), officially the president of the Council of Ministers of the Togolese Republic (), is the head of government of Togo. Most of the governing authority and executive powers lie in the president of the Council of Ministers, while the president of the Republic is a largely ceremonial role.

The prime minister is appointed by the president and can serve indefinite terms for up to six years; however, the prime minister may be removed by three-quarters majority of National Assembly members, who are directly elected every six years. A total of fourteen people have served as president of the Council of Ministers – thirteen men and one woman. Among them, one person, Edem Kodjo, has served on two non-consecutive occasions. The incumbent prime minister, Faure Gnassingbé, has served since 3 May 2025.

History

1991 conflict with the presidency In the months following the appointment of Joseph Kokou Koffigoh as prime minister by the National Conference on 27 August 1991,"Oct 1991 — Failure of coup attempts", Keesing's Record of World Events, volume 37, October 1991, page 38,518. the soldiers of the Togolese Armed Forces (FAT) loyal to President Gnassingbé Eyadéma repeatedly tried to oust Koffigoh:

On 1 October 1991, the soldiers seized the national radio and television station and demanded that Koffigoh resign"Effort to oust Togo's interim leader fails", Deseret News, 1 October 1991. before leaving the station; Koffigoh said afterwards on the radio that order was restored. On 8 October 1991, the soldiers unsuccessfully tried to kidnap Koffigoh, and four people were reported killed in protests and violence that followed."4 Killed After Rebel Troops Fail to Kidnap Togo Premier", The New York Times, 9 October 1991. In late November 1991, the soldiers began a siege of Koffigoh's official residence in Lomé after Eyadéma's party, the Rally of the Togolese People (RPT), was banned by the transitional High Council of the Republic (HCR)."Togo Leader Adds to Cabinet to End Crisis", The New York Times, 2 January 1992. They demanded that Koffigoh's government be replaced and threatening to "reduce the city to ashes";"France Moves Troops to Block Togo Coup", Associated Press, 30 November 1991. they also demanded that the RPT be legalized again and that the HCR be dissolved."Soldiers abandon coup bid in Togo", The New York Times, 1 December 1991. Koffigoh called for French military aid. Eyadéma publicly called on the soldiers to return to their barracks and expressed continued trust in Koffigoh, but also invited him to begin consultations on the formation of a new national unity government. After two days of talks, the soldiers lifted their siege; however, they promptly resumed it."Soldiers, Breaking Promise, Resume Palace Siege in Togo", The New York Times, 2 December 1991. Koffigoh then offered to include supporters of Eyadéma in the government, but he refused to dissolve his government altogether, and he again called for French aid."Togo's Prime Minister Proposes Compromise", The New York Times, 3 December 1991. On 3 December 1991, the soldiers succeeded in capturing Koffigoh in a heavy assault on his official residence, involving tanks and machine guns. Many people were killed in this violence:"Rebels Seize Togolese Premier", The New York Times, 4 December 1991."Despite a Coup, Togo's Reform Prime Minister Clings to Post", Reuters, 5 December 1991. at least 17, and possibly more than 200. The soldiers then took Koffigoh to meet with Eyadéma, who was widely believed to have been behind the soldiers' actions, although he did not take responsibility for them. Later on the same day, Eyadéma released a statement saying that he and Koffigoh would form a new transitional government. Although Koffigoh remained in office, his power was considered curtailed. On 31 December, a new government headed by Koffigoh was announced, including three members of the RPT; most members of the previous government remained in their posts.

2024 constitutional reform In March 2024, President Faure Gnassingbé announced a new constitution. The proposed new constitution turned Togo from presidential system to a quasi-parliamentary system, weakening the powers of the president, strengthening the powers of the prime minister and renaming the office the President of the Council of Ministers, and as well as giving the new role a maximum term of six years. The new constitution was adopted in April 2024 after a vote in parliament and officially came into force the following month, thus creating the Fifth Republic.

The changes officially came into force on 3 May 2025, nearly one year after the new constitution came into force. Gnassingbé became the president of the Council of Ministers, effectively retaining most of the powers he had held as president. Opposition critics claimed the new constitution was intended to effectively make Gnassingbé Togo's leader for life. The presidency, now officially a ceremonial role, was handed over to Jean-Lucien Savi de Tové, a former opposition leader during the presidency of Gnassingbé's father. Savi de Tové was unanimously elected by the National Assembly and immediately sworn in president, became the oldest person to hold the office, aged nearly 86.

Duties and competences The president of the Republic appoints the prime minister. He terminates his functions.Article 66 of the Constitution of 1992.

The prime minister is the head of the Government. He directs the action of the Government and coordinates the functions of the other members. He presides over the Committees of Defense. He substitutes for, the case arising, the president of the Republic in the presidency of the Councils provided for in Articles 66 and 72 of this Constitution. He assures the interim of the head of the State in case of incapacity for cause of illness or of absence from the national territory.Article 78 of the Constitution of 1992.

Before his entry into office, the prime minister presents before the National Assembly the program of action of his Government.

The National Assembly accords its confidence to him by a vote with the absolute majority of its members.

The prime minister assures the execution of the laws.Article 79 of the Constitution of 1992.

He may delegate certain of his powers to the ministers.

The acts of the president of the Republic other than those provided for in Articles 4, 66, 68, 73, 74, 98, 100, 104 and 109 of this Constitution, are countersigned by the Prime Minister or, the case arising, by the Ministers given the charge of their execution.Article 80 of the Constitution of 1992.

List of officeholders Political parties

Other factions

Portrait Name Term of office Political party Elected Government President(s) Took office Left office Time in office Prime Minister (; 1960–2025) 1 Sylvanus Olympio 1960 1961 Party of Togolese Unity – Himself Post abolished (12 April 1961 – 27 August 1991) 2 Joseph Kokou Koffigoh 1991 1994 Coordination of New Forces – Koffigoh IIEyadéma 3 Edem Kodjo 1994 1996 Togolese Union for Democracy 1994 Kodjo I – Kodjo II 4 Kwassi Klutse 1996 1999 Rally of the Togolese People – Klutse 5 Eugène Koffi Adoboli 1999 2000 Rally of the Togolese People 1999 Adoboli 6 Agbéyomé Kodjo 2000 2002 Rally of the Togolese People – A. Kodjo 7 Koffi Sama 2002 2005 Rally of the Togolese People 2002 – Gnassingbé – AbassGnassingbé (3) Edem Kodjo 2005 2006 Pan-African Patriotic Convergence – 8 Yawovi Agboyibo 2006 2007 Action Committee for Renewal – 9 Komlan Mally 2007 2008 Rally of the Togolese People 2007 10 Gilbert Houngbo 2008 2012 Independent – – 11 Kwesi Ahoomey-Zunu 2012 2015 Pan-African Patriotic Convergence – Union for the Republic 2013 12 Komi Sélom Klassou 2015 2020 Union for the Republic – 2018 13 Victoire Tomegah Dogbé 2020 2025 Union for the Republic – – 2024 President of the Council of Ministers (; 2025–present) 14 Faure Gnassingbé 2025 Incumbent Union for the Republic – Savi de Tové

Timeline

See also President of Togo List of colonial governors of Togo Politics of Togo

References

External links World Statesmen – Togo 1992 Constitution of Togo (as amended in 2007)