Kohnert, Dirk (2015): Togo: recent political and economic development.
![Warning](/style/images/warning.png)
Preview |
PDF
MPRA_paper_62029.pdf Download (402kB) | Preview |
Abstract
Backed by peaceful but undemocratic presidential (2010) and legislative (July 2013) elections the Gnassingbé regime consolidated its power. In view of the absolute majority of the ruling party, its inclination for meaningful constitutional and electoral reforms, as demanded by the opposition and international donors, was further reduced. Overriding concerns for stability in West Africa in view of growing Islamist threats in neighbouring countries made that the delayed democratic reforms including the time and again reported local elections were condoned by the donor community. However, simmering discontent of the hardliners among the security forces and the barons of the ruling party was still visible. The opposition tried in vain to overcome its divide between its moderate and radical wing. An alliance of opposition parties and civic groups opposed the regime peacefully by frequent, often violently suppressed demonstrations with little effect. Arson attacks on the markets of Lomè and Kara in January 2013 served as pretense to harass opposition leaders. Human rights records of the government remained tarnished. The tense political climate persisted in view of the upcoming presidential elections in April 2015 and the apparent determination of the President to stay in power a third and eventually even a fourth term whatever the cost. Despite undeniable improvements of the framework and outside appearance of major institutions of the regime during the survey period it remained a façade democracy. However, the international community, notably African peers, the AU and ECOWAS, but also the Bretton-Woods Institutions, China and the EU, followed a ‘laissez faire’ approach in the interest of stability and their proper national interest in dealings with the country. Economic growth perspectives remained promising, expected to increase to 6.0% in 2014 and 6.3% in 2015, last but not least because of heavy assistance by the international donor community. However, growth is neither sustainable nor inclusive. It is overshadowed by increasing inter-personal and regional inequality as well as an upturn in extreme poverty.
Item Type: | MPRA Paper |
---|---|
Original Title: | Togo: recent political and economic development |
English Title: | Togo: recent political and economic development |
Language: | English |
Keywords: | democratization, governance, fragile states, economic development, aid, EU, Togo, West Africa, ECOWAS |
Subjects: | A - General Economics and Teaching > A1 - General Economics > A14 - Sociology of Economics F - International Economics > F3 - International Finance > F35 - Foreign Aid H - Public Economics > H7 - State and Local Government ; Intergovernmental Relations N - Economic History > N9 - Regional and Urban History > N97 - Africa ; Oceania O - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth > O1 - Economic Development > O17 - Formal and Informal Sectors ; Shadow Economy ; Institutional Arrangements O - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth > O5 - Economywide Country Studies > O55 - Africa Z - Other Special Topics > Z1 - Cultural Economics ; Economic Sociology ; Economic Anthropology > Z13 - Economic Sociology ; Economic Anthropology ; Social and Economic Stratification |
Item ID: | 62029 |
Depositing User: | Dirk Kohnert |
Date Deposited: | 11 Feb 2015 14:29 |
Last Modified: | 26 Sep 2019 10:09 |
References: | Ade et al (2014) : Evaluation de la coopération de l’Union européenne avec la République Togolaise 2007-2013. Rapport final provisoire révisé. Lomé CIVICUS (2006): A diagnostic study of Togolese Civil Society. Lomé : CIVICUS World Alliance for Citizen Participation CVJR (2012): Rapport final. Lomé: Commission Vérité, Justice et Réconciliation (CVJR) FIDH (2011): Note sur la situation des droits de l’homme au Togo. Les engagements des autorités doivent se transformer en actes concrètes. Paris: International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) Galy, M. (2014): Togo, une dictature à bout de souffle. Le Monde Diplomatique, juin 2014 GIABA (2011): Money laundering in Togo, Evaluation report, Dakar 2011 Golup, S.S. (2012): Entrepôt trade and smuggling in West Africa: Benin, Togo and Nigeria. The World Economy, 35 (2012) 9:1139–1161 Gardini, Marco (2012): Land Transactions and Chieftaincies in Southwestern Togo. Africa Spectrum,vol. 47: 51-72 HCDH (2013): Rapport sur le respect de la mise en oeuvre des droits de l’homme et des libertés fondamentales dans l’administration de la justice au Togo. Lomé : Bureau du Haut-Commissariat des Nations unies aux droits de l’homme au Togo, Dec. 2013 IMF (2014): Togo. Poverty reduction strategy paper - Joint staff advisory note, Washington D.C.: International Monetary Fonds IMF (2011): Togo: Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper – Progress Report. IMF Country Reports No. 11/7, January 2011 Kadouza, Padabô (2011): Characteristics of land tenure and the difficulties of application of land reforms in Sub-Saharan Africa: The case of Togo. Lomé: paper delivered at ECAS 4 conference, Uppsala Kohnert, D. (2014): African Agency and EU- African Economic Partnership Agreements. Review Article. Africa Spectrum, 49 (2014) 3: 149-155 Kohnert, D. (2011): Togo: Thorny transitions and misguided aid at the roots of economic misery. In: Saine, A. / N’Diaye, B. / Houngnikpoet, M. (eds.): Elections and democratization in West Africa 1990 – 2009. Trenton: Africa World Press, 2011: 179-210 OECD (2013): Gender and state-building in fragile and conflict-affected states. Paris: OECD PNUD (2012): Point sur le processus de décentralisation au Togo et l’appui au PNUD. Lomé: UNDP/PNUD PNUD (2008): Etude - Diagnostic sur la société civil au Togo. Rapport final. Lomé : UNDP/PNUD PNUD (2007): Profil de la pauvreté et de la vulnérabilité au Togo. Version 2, Lomé : UNDP/PNUD Siliadin, J. (2014): Togo, démocratie impossible? Paris, L'Harmattan Tété-Adjalogo, T. G (2013): Autopsie du développement pernicieux. Le cas du Togo (1963-2013). Paris: L'Harmattan Toulabor, C.M. (2011): “Togo.” In: Alan Bryden and Boubacar N’Diaye (Eds): Security Sector Governance in Francophone West Africa: Realities and Opportunities. Geneva: Lit 2011 UE-MOE (2007): Mission d'observation électorale de l'Union Européenne au Togo - Élections législatives du 14 Octobre 2007. Rapport final. Brussels : European Union, Election Observation Mission (EOM), Togo UE-MOE (2010): Mission d'observation électorale de l'Union Européenne au Togo - Élection présidentielle Mars 2010. Rapport final. Brussels: European Union, Election Observation Mission (EOM), Togo UNHRC (2014): Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders. Mission to Togo, A/HRC/25/55/Add.2, 2014. New York: United Nations Human Rights Council UNODC (2013): Transnational organized crime in West Africa: A threat assessment. Geneva: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Febr. 2013 |
URI: | https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/id/eprint/62029 |
Available Versions of this Item
- Togo: recent political and economic development. (deposited 11 Feb 2015 14:29) [Currently Displayed]