Committee of Togolese Unity

political party, Togo

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July 14, 2026

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The Committee of Togolese Unity (CUT) was a political party in Togo. It was led by Sylvanus Olympio, who became the first president of Togo after it gained independence from France on April 27, 1960. The CUT advocated for Togo's complete independence. Olympio's presidency was marked by economic cooperation with France and membership in the Organization of African Unity. His rule ended with his assassination in 1963, after which Nicolas Grunitzky became president. Later, Gnassingbé Eyadéma seized power in 1967 and dissolved all political parties, including the CUT.12

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Sylvanus Olympio
A leader of the Committee of Togolese Unity after World War II, Olympio was elected president of the first territorial assembly in 1946 and by 1947 was in open (though nonviolent) conflict with Togoland’s French colonial administration. One of his main early concerns was to unite the Ewe people,…
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A leader of the Committee of Togolese Unity after World War II, Olympio was elected president of the first territorial assembly in 1946 and by 1947 was in open (though nonviolent) conflict with Togoland’s French colonial administration. One of his main early concerns was to unite the Ewe people,…
Read More