Togo

Togo’s recent history has been dominated by the autocratic rule of Gnassingbe Eyadema who, as head of the armed forces, took power in a coup in 1967. He died in 2005, bringing to an end 38 years of rule characterised by poor governance, grinding poverty and poor human rights.

Since then the country has continued to grapple with extreme poverty, high unemployment and increased urbanisation, as well as high levels of violence and crime in urban areas.

The YMCA has been present in Togo since 1905, and Y Care International has been working with the National Council of YMCAs of Togo since 1989, focusing on youth justice campaigning, programmes for children and young people in conflict with the law, and peer education on HIV.

News 6 October 2011: Togo human rights practices under review by UN