Togo has been under the dominance of a single ruler, Gnassingbe Eyadema, since 1967, when he came to power in a military coup. A single party, the Rassemblement du Peuple Togolais [Togolese Peoples' Rally] (RPT) ruled Togo during most of the past 30 years. Independent political parties were authorized in 1991. But President Eyadema used his control over the security forces, first, to prevent the elected government from asserting power and, then, to undermine multiparty elections. The most recent election process, in 1998, was seriously flawed, leading to an opposition boycott and the continued suspension of almost all foreign aid.
Togo: The Commission Nationale des Droits de l'Homme [National Human Rights Commission] (CNDH)