Togo formed part of the Slave Coast, from where captives were shipped abroad by European slavers during the 17th century. In 1884 it became the German protectorate of Togoland.

It was seized by Britain and France at the start of World War I, divided and administered under League of Nations mandates.

The British-ruled western part was later incorporated into what is now Ghana.

OVERVIEW

France granted independence in 1960 and Togo's first president, Sylvanus Olympio, was assassinated in a military coup three years later. Head of the armed forces Gnassingbe Eyadema seized power in a 1967 coup and dissolved all political parties.

Although political parties were legalised in 1991 and a democratic constitution was adopted in 1992, the leadership was accused of suppressing opposition and of cheating in elections.

A joint UN-Organisation of African Unity investigation into claims that hundreds of people were killed after controversial elections in 1998 concluded that there had been systematic human rights violations.

Gnassingbe Eyadema died in early 2005 after 38 years in power. The military's immediate but short-lived installation of his son, Faure Gnassingbe, as president provoked widespread international condemnation. Mr Faure stood down and called elections which he won two months later. The opposition said the vote was rigged.

The developments of 2005 led to renewed questions about the commitment to democracy made by Togo in 2004 in a bid to normalise ties with the EU, which cut off aid in 1993 over the country's human rights record.

Moreover, the political violence surrounding the presidential poll prompted around 38,000 Togolese to flee to neighbouring countries.

FACTS

• Population: 5.1 million (UN, 2005)
• Capital: Lome
• Area: 56,785 sq km (21,925 sq miles)
• Major languages: French (official), local languages
• Major religions: Indigenous beliefs, Christianity, Islam
• Life expectancy: 52 years (men), 56 years (women) (UN)
• Monetary unit: 1 CFA (Communaute Financiere Africaine) franc = 100 centimes
• Main exports: Cocoa, phosphates, coffee, cotton
• GNI per capita: US $310 (World Bank, 2005)
• Internet domain: .tg
• International dialling code: +228

LEADERS

President: Faure Gnassingbe

Faure Gnassingbe, the son of Togo's late veteran leader Gnassingbe Eyadema, was declared the winner of presidential elections in April 2005 with 60% of the votes.

The army tried to install Faure Gnassingbe after his father died

The announcement was followed by street violence in the capital involving security forces and opposition supporters, who said the poll had been rigged. The Constitutional Court rejected the claim.

A regional delegation said the elections had been broadly free and fair, despite isolated problems.

Two months later, the leader of a moderate opposition party, Edem Kodjo, was named as prime minister. Mr Kodjo led the government during the 1990s under Mr Faure's father.

There had been calls for a government of national unity but talks with the main radical opposition parties broke down. Mr Kodjo's government includes Zarifou Ayeva, a member of the moderate opposition, and lawyer Tchessa Abi, who leads one of the smaller radical opposition parties.

However, most key posts went to the ruling party and Mr Faure's brother, Kpatcha Gnassingbe, is defence minister.

The military had installed Mr Faure as president after his father died in February. The opposition and some African leaders described the succession as a military coup.

Under strong international pressure Mr Faure stepped down and called the election.