Togo is an African country located on the shores of the Gulf of Guinea, sharing a border with Ghana, Benin, Burkina Faso. The population of this country is approx 95,83,000 with 56,785 square kilometers area. Togo is home to more than 40 ethnic communities. The number of languages is around 39. French is used in formal education, all forms of media, administration, and commerce - although it is not used by the general public in everyday life. About 42% of the people are Christian, 18% are Muslim, and 33% believe in African traditional religions.
The Togolese constitution provides for the division of courts into labor courts, commercial courts, juvenile courts, and military courts, etc., for the speedy execution of court proceedings, which is very fruitful.
In Togo, tribalism has been recognized alongside the legal system, which is in direct conflict with elected local governments and the courts.
Admirable Articles of Togo's Constitution
Article 1
● The Togolese Republic is a secular, democratic, and social state governed by the rule of law, rooted in the promotion of social justice, progress, and the inclusion of all its citizens.
● It is one and indivisible.
● Its organization is decentralized.
Article 2
● The Togolese Republic ensures equality before the law to all its citizens without discrimination or distinction based on origin, race, ethnicity, gender, disability, social status, or religion.
● It respects all political, philosophical, and religious opinions.
● Its operating principle is government of the people, by the people, for the people.
Its motto is: "Work - Freedom - Fatherland."
Article 7
● Political parties and groups contribute to the formation and expression of suffrage.
They are formed and carry out their activities freely, respecting the principles of sovereignty and democracy.
● They contribute to the political and civic education of citizens and to the consolidation of democracy and national unity.
● They may not identify with a region, ethnic group, or religion.
● A law determines the procedures for the creation and operation of political parties.
Article 14
● Each of the two (02) chambers adopts its rules of procedure by an absolute majority of its members.
● Meetings are public. However, each chamber may meet behind closed doors at the request of the President of the Council or his office, or one-third (1/3) of its members.
● The chambers may not sit and deliberate without the presence of one-third (1/3) of their members.
● Members of the government have the right to attend sessions. They must be heard whenever they request it.
Article 59
The specialized courts are labor courts, commercial courts, juvenile courts, and military courts of appeal. They decide disputes in their respective areas.
Facts of Togo's Constitution
Preamble (Part of it)
We, the Togolese people, placing ourselves under the protection of God, proclaim this Constitution to: - guarantee the innate, inalienable, and immutable rights to independence, freedom, and progress, in accordance with the proclamation of independence of April 27, 1960; -
This preamble is an integral part of this Constitution. The fundamental rights and duties of individuals and citizens are proclaimed in a solemn declaration annexed to this Constitution, of which it forms an integral part.
Article 35 (Part of it)
The elected President of the Republic takes an oath before Congress in the following terms:
"Before God and the Togolese people, the sole holders of national sovereignty, I……., President of the Togolese Republic elected in accordance with the laws of the Republic, solemnly swear allegiance to the Constitution of the Republic and pledge to devote our efforts to the well-being of the Togolese people and to work towards the consolidation of national unity."
Article 88
The Togolese Republic recognizes traditional chieftainships, the guardians of customs and traditions.
The appointment and enthronement of the traditional chief are subject to the customs and traditions of the locality and the legal and regulatory provisions in force. The law specifies the status, appointment procedure, and enthronement of the traditional chief.
