#Togolese President

[warningsine]

Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea is 82 and has been in power for 45 years. Denis Sassou Nguesso of Congo, 79, has held on to power for 40 years. Cameroon’s Paul Biya is 91 and has been president for 42 years.

Their extended tenures are largely due to a lack of constitutional limits on presidential age and terms in their countries. These three cases of political endurance aren’t unprecedented in Africa: Félix Houphouët-Boigny led Côte d'Ivoire for 33 years, Gnassingbé Eyadema remained at the helm in Togo for 40 years and Omar Bongo Ondimba reigned over Gabon for 42 years.

As such leaders approach an end-of-reign phase, intense succession rivalries tend to play out. These rivalries are fuelled by deep-seated conflicts within presidential families, and can lead to prolonged social and political instability.

I have researched the geopolitical issues in central Africa and explored political transition prospects in Equatorial Guinea, Congo and Cameroon. In a recent article, I analysed the risks of destabilisation posed by succession conflicts in these three countries – and their potential impact on neighbouring regions.

The potential for political transition in Equatorial Guinea, Congo and Cameroon is notable given the “twilight” phase of their long-serving leaders. This transition was also seen in the last years of power of the long-serving Ivorian, Togolese and Gabonese presidents.

The signs of a twilight phase include:

frequent and increasingly extended health-related absences of the heads of state

growing discord and dissonance within decision-making circles of the ruling camps

intensified power struggles within the president’s political and family networks

rising ambitions within the presidential camp to attain the highest office

a noticeable detachment from the public’s basic concerns.

How things might pan out

Equatorial Guinea’s and Congo’s regimes favour dynastic power transitions. In contrast, hereditary succession is unlikely to play out in Cameroon, but party power struggles could complicate the political transition.

Presidential clans come with complexity. They have intricate alliances and networks centred on the leader. As the leader’s authority wanes due to age or illness, unity within these clans fractures. This is driven by:

power struggles among the leader’s children from different mothers

disputes over economic monopolies and resources

growing conspiracies within the inner circle

the disgrace and repression of perceived “traitors” and their allies.

These factors could contribute to unstable succession prospects in Equatorial Guinea and the Congo.

Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo succeeded his uncle Francisco Macias Nguema Biyogo, the first president of Equatorial Guinea, following a coup d'état in 1979. With the exception of Pascal Lissouba (1992-1997), who was a native of the south of the country, presidential power in the Congo has been in the hands of the northerners since a 1968 coup d'état. The significant political influence wielded by Mbasogo’s many children fuels the potential of an upcoming hereditary succession.

The push for family succession aims to protect the presidential clan’s interests in the state and military apparatus after the leader’s death. This is driven by the memory of disinheritance faced by past ruling families (such as Central African Republic’s Jean Bedel Bokassa, Democratic Republic of Congo’s Mobutu Sese Seko, Angola’s José Eduardo Dos Santos and Gabon’s Omar Bongo). There are also often fears of political and judicial repercussions.

In Cameroon, the president has excluded his family from political roles. Instead, Biya has maintained tight control and eliminated internal rivalries. Despite this, his political record offers no assurance of a smooth transition.

The impending departure of the current leaders in all three countries – Equatorial Guinea, the Congo and Cameroon – could jeopardise their stability. This could spill over into the region.

Rivalry in Equatorial Guinea

Mbasogo’s successor will likely be a member of his clan. The question is who. Will it be Teodorin Nguema Obiang, the eldest son, better known for his spending sprees than his statesmanship? His rise to strategic positions (vice-president of the republic) and the overt support of his mother, the first lady, seem to signal his potential ascent to head of state.

There’s also Gabriel Mbega Obiang Lima, the youngest son, with a mother from São Tomé and Príncipe. He has held several ministerial dockets, and currently oversees mines and oil. Lima’s perceived “seriousness” has made him a favourite among influential Chinese and western investors in the country.

Conflict over inheritance in Congo

In Congo, succession is complicated by family conflicts. President Nguesso’s son, Denis Christel Sassou Nguesso, is rumoured to be seeking the presidency. His mother is from the neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo. But Denis faces opposition from his cousins: Jean-Dominique Okemba, head of the intelligence service, and Edgard Nguesso, a senior military officer and director of presidential assets.

Congo’s turbulent political history heightens concerns about the upcoming transition. A north-south ethno-political divide has fostered deep-seated resentment among local communities, particularly between their elites. Political dissent is now prevalent, especially in the north, which has traditionally been the regime’s stronghold.

After he regained power through military means in 1997, the president refocused on his ethnic group, the Mbochis. This shift has alienated other ethnic groups from Nguesso’s home region. They include the Kouyou, Makoua and Téké who have increasingly voiced their grievances. These northern elites are feeling marginalised and are, therefore, likely to oppose any perceived attempts at dynastic succession.

In the south, the civil war (1997-2001) deepened the long-standing mistrust of the “northern regime” among the Kongo-Lari ethnic group. The prospect of dynastic succession is likely to stir up old grievances.

The reactivation of dissent in the southern region after Nguesso’s contentious re-election in 2016 highlights the lingering threat of civil war in the country. Although the suppression of political and military forces from contested regions reduces the likelihood of opposition, the dynastic handover plan could still provoke significant unrest.

There are still residual armed factions in the south. This supports the possibility of a resurgence of resistance in areas opposed to the regime.

Cameroon’s inter-community tensions

With Biya excluding his family from political roles, the possibility of dynastic succession is unlikely. However, with Cameroon due to hold presidential elections in 2025, two major challenges to a smooth transition stand out:

the lack of an official successor within the ruling party

uncertainty about the process of selecting a party candidate for the presidential election.

This could lead to numerous claimants for the position, potentially igniting internal conflicts within the party. These power struggles could deepen existing identity-based divisions.

The rivalry between the Bulu-Béti (south) and Bamiléké (west) communities epitomises the inter-community tensions threatening the country’s stability. This rivalry is driven by a quest for dominance among political and intellectual elites.

Traditionally focused on economic activities, the Bamiléké are now increasingly showing national political ambitions. This has raised concerns among the Bulu-Béti elite.

The contested 2018 presidential election results and the ethnic slurs that followed highlight ongoing tensions in the country. These dynamics are likely to shape the political landscape leading up to the 2025 elections.

[matovugodfreymg]

🌍 A҉F҉R҉I҉C҉A҉ ✍︎

𝑻𝑶𝑮𝑶 🇹🇬 President Faure Gnassingbe's ruling party wins sweeping majority, 108 out of 113 seats, in parliament, following the approval of controversial constitutional reforms by the outgoing parliament that could extend his 19-year rule.

The new charter adopted in March also introduced a parliamentary system of government, meaning the president will be elected by parliament and no longer by the people for a four-year term.

The election had been delayed twice because of a backlash from some opposition parties who called the constitutional changes a manoeuvre to allow Gnassingbe to rule for life.

Constitutional amendments unanimously approved in a second parliamentary vote earlier in April also altered presidential terms to four years with a two-term limit.

This does not take into account the time already spent in office, which could enable Gnassingbe to stay in power until 2033 if he is re-elected when his mandate expires in 2025.

The Togolese head of state had already amended the constitution in 2019 allowing him to reset the time period and run for two new additional mandates.

At the helm of the country for nearly 20 years, Faure Gnassingbe succeeded his father, Gnassingbe Eyadema, who ruled for almost four decades.

Source: @Reuters, @AFP.

@𝑴𝒈 💕🕊️

#A҉F҉R҉I҉C҉A҉_U҉N҉I҉T҉E҉D҉ 🌍

𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭𝓹𝓮𝓸𝓹𝓵𝓮𝓸𝓯𝓪𝓯𝓻𝓲𝓬𝓪.𝓸𝓻𝓰

🆅︎🅸︎🆅︎🅰︎ ☕︎☕︎☕︎ 🅰︎🅵︎🆁︎🅸︎🅲︎🅰︎ ❥︎❥︎❥︎

[prnanayarquah]

Avance Media Announces 2024 100 Most Influential African Women

New Post has been published on https://plugzafrica.com/avance-media-announces-2024-100-most-influential-african-women/

Avance Media Announces 2024 100 Most Influential African Women

Avance Media, Africa’s leading PR and rating firm, has announced the 6th edition of its highly anticipated 2024 list of the 100 Most Influential African Women.

This annual publication celebrates the extraordinary achievements of women who are breaking barriers in their respective fields and inspiring transformational change in their communities and across the continent.

Representing 32 African countries, the 2024 list highlights the diversity and impact of African women leaders, with Nigeria leading with 22 honorees, followed by Kenya with 12, South Africa with 7, and Rwanda with 5. The honorees span an array of sectors, including business, diplomacy, governance, entertainment, media, sports, philanthropy, and more.

The list also features two female presidents, six female vice presidents, one Prime Minister, one Deputy United Nations Secretary-General, and one Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission. These achievements mark a historic milestone for women in leadership across the continent and in global governance, showcasing Africa as a rising force for gender equity and empowerment.

Among the top honorees are Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director-General of the World Trade Organization, H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan, the President of Tanzania, Angélique Kidjo, the Grammy-winning artist and activist, Fariba Nabourema Togolese activist and Bitcoin advocate, and Senator Dr Rasha Kelej, the CEO of Merck Foundation.

Prince Akpah, the Founder of Avance Media, emphasised that the publication aims to promote gender equality and recognise women’s contributions to Africa’s progress. By amplifying the stories of these influential women, we seek to inspire policy shifts, organizational reforms, and grassroots efforts to empower women and girls.

Selection for the 2024 list was based on criteria such as excellence in leadership and performance, personal accomplishments, a commitment to sharing knowledge, breaking the status quo, and exemplifying the qualities of an accomplished African woman.

The comprehensive profiles of the 2024 100 Most Influential African Women can be accessed at 100women.avancemedia.org.

Below is the list of Avance Media’s 2024 100 Most Influential African Women arranged in alphabetical order:

Adefunke Adeyemi || Secretary General, African Civil Aviation Commission

Agatha Elumelu-Obiekwugo (Dr.) || CEO, Adassa Energy

Aguil Deng || Head of Corporate Philanthropy Africa, Bloomberg

Ahunna Eziakonwa (H.E.) || Regional Director for Africa, UNDP

Amani Abou-Zeid (H.E) || Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, African Union

Amina J. Mohammed (H.E) || Deputy Secretary-General, United Nations

Angélique Kidjo || Musician  

Anita Alaire Afoke Asuoha || Actress

Anita Erskine || Executive Director, Erskine Global Communications

Barbra Banda  || Footballer    

Bimbo Ademoye || Actress    

Bineta Diop (H.E) || Special Envoy on Women Peace and Security, African Union

Bintou Keita (H.E) || Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the DRC, UN

Bogolo Kenewendo || Minister of Minerals and Energy, Botswana

Boitumelo Mosako || CEO, Development Bank of Southern Africa

Carol Abade || Group CEO, EXP

Caroline Wanga || CEO, Essence

Chidimma Adetshina || Miss Universe Africa and Oceania  

Chido Cleopatra Mpemba (H.E.) || Youth Envoy, African Union

Clare Akamanzi || CEO, NBA Africa

Coumba Dieng Sow (H.E) || Resident Coordinator in Togo, United Nations

Cristina Isabel Lopes da Silva M. Duarte || Special Adviser on Africa, United Nations

Damilola Ogunbiyi || Co-Chair, UN-Energy

Degan Ali  || Executive Director, Adeso

Delphine Traoré Maidou || CEO, Allianz Africa

Denise Epote || Director, TV5 Monde

Diane Karusisi (Dr.) || CEO, Bank of Kigali

Edith Kimani || Journalist, DW TV

Elizabeth Maruma Mrema (H.E) || Deputy Executive Director, UNEP

Elizabeth Tchoungui || Executive Vice President of Group CSR, Orange

Elizabeth Wathuti || Founder, Green Generation Initiative

Enase Okonedo (Prof) || Vice-Chancellor, Pan-Atlantic University

Esperança da Costa (H.E.) || Vice President, Angola

Faith Odhiambo || President, Law Society of Kenya

Farida Nabourema || Executive Director, Africa Bitcoin Community

Françoise Moudouthe  || CEO, African Women’s Development Fund

Funke Akindele || Actress      

Graça Machel || Founder, Graça Machel Trust

Hodan Addou || Regional Director, UN Women East & Southern Africa

Jackie Chimhanzi (Dr.) || Regional Director, Tony Blair Institute for Global Change

Jane Kimemia || CEO, Optiva Capital Partners

Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang (H.E.) || Vice President, Republic of Ghana

Jennifer Zabasajja || Correspondent, Bloomberg Africa

Jessica Rose Epel Alupo (H.E.) || Vice President, Republic of Uganda

Judith Tuluka Suminwa || Prime Minister, DRC

Julia Sebutinde || Vice President, International Court of Justice

Julie Gichuru (Dr.)  || Founder, Africa Leadership and Dialogue Institute (ALADI)

Kanayo Awani            || Executive Vice President, Afreximbank

Kehinde Bankole || Actress    

Lydia Zigomo || Regional Director, UNFPA East and Southern Africa.

Mariam Chabi Talata (H.E.) || Vice President, Republic of Benin

Marie-Antoinette Rose Quatre (H.E.) || CEO, African Peer Review Mechanism

Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade || Senior Vice President , AfDB

Maryam Bukar Hassan || Poet

Mavis Owusu-Gyamfi  || President, African Center for Economic Transformation

Monique Nsanzabaganwa (H.E. Dr.) || Deputy Chairperson, African Union

Mosun Layode || Executive Director, African Philanthropy Forum

Mutale Nalumango (H.E.) || Vice President, Republic of Zambia

Nadia Fettah Alaoui || Minister of Economy and Finance, Morocco

Nardos Bekele-Thomas || CEO, AUDA- NEPAD

Nathalie Kouassi Akon || Director of Gender and Economic Inclusion, IFC

Ndemupelila Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah (H.E. Dr) || President-elect    , Namibia

Nezha Hayat || CEO, Moroccan Capital Market Authority

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (Dr.)  || Director General, World Trade Organisation

Nima Elbagir || Chief International Investigative Correspondent, CNN

Nkiru Balonwu (Dr.) || CEO, Africa Soft Power

Nomalanga Shozi || OAP       

Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda || Deputy Executive Director, UN Women

Olori Atuwatse III || Queen Consort, Warri Kingdom

Oulie Keita (Dr.) || Executive Director, Greenpeace Africa

Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa || CEO, Naspers South Africa.

Rachel Wanyoike || Managing Director, Solidaridad East and Central Africa

Rasha Kelej (Senator Dr.) || CEO, Merck Foundation

Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior (H.E.) || Vice President, South Sudan

Rita Babihuga-Nsanze || Chief Economist , Africa Finance Corporation

Rosemary Nduhiu || Executive Director, Country Programs, Mastercard Foundation

Ruth Kadiri || Actress

Sahar Albazar || Member of Parliament, Egypt

Samia Suluhu Hassan (H.E.) || President, United Republic of Tanzania

Samira Daoud || Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Amnesty International

Sanda Ojiambo || Executive Director, United Nations Global Compact

Soraia Ramos  || Musician     

Stephanie Busari || Senior Editor, Africa, CNN

Taaka Awori || CEO, Busara Africa

Tems || Musician        

Tobi Ayeni || Content Creator

Tsedale Lemma || Journalist/Founder, Addis Standard

Tsega Gebreyes || Founding Director, Satya Capital Limited

Tshepidi Moremong || Chief Operating Officer, Africa50

Tshepiso Malatjie || Chief People Officer, MultiChoice Group

Tyla || Musician         

Valentine Rugwabiza (H.E.) || Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of Mission, United Nations

Vanessa Moungar || Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, LVMH

Vera Songwe (Dr.) || Founder and Chair, Liquidity and Sustainability Facility

Veronica Mueni Nduva (H.E.) || Secretary General, East African Community (EAC)

Vivienne Yeda Apopo || Director General, East African Development Bank (EADB)

Winnie Byanyima || Executive Director, UNAIDS

Wiyaala || Musician   

Yvonne Makolo || CEO, RwandAir

Zainab Hawa Bangura (H.E.) || Director General, United Nations Office at Nairobi

[24heureinfo]

News in Togo: A Glimpse into the Nation's Current Affairs

Togo, a small but dynamic West African nation, often finds itself at the crossroads of regional politics, economic development, and cultural vibrancy. Its president, Faure Gnassingbé, has been a central figure in shaping the country's trajectory since he came to power in 2005. Over the years, his leadership has sparked debates, both domestically and internationally, about governance, democracy, and economic progress. Let’s explore some of the recent developments and news highlights from Togo, with a focus on Faure Gnassingbé's influence.

Political Developments: Navigating Change

Togo has been making strides toward political reform. Recently, discussions about electoral transparency have gained momentum, with political leaders and civil society organizations advocating for free and fair elections. The government has initiated talks on constitutional reforms to ensure greater inclusivity in governance. These changes highlight Togo's commitment to fostering democracy and stability in the region.

Economic Growth: A Steady Ascent

As per the News in Togo, Togo’s economy has shown resilience despite global challenges. The agricultural sector, a cornerstone of the economy, continues to thrive with exports of cotton, coffee, and cocoa. Additionally, the Port of Lomé remains a critical hub for trade in West Africa, attracting investments and strengthening the nation’s infrastructure.

In recent news, the Togolese government announced plans to promote small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by providing financial aid and creating a more business-friendly environment. These initiatives aim to reduce unemployment and stimulate economic growth.

[lboogie1906]

President Sylvanus Épiphanio Olympio (September 6, 1902 – January 13, 1963) was a Togolese politician who served as prime minister and president of Togo (1958-63). He came from the important Olympio family, which included his uncle Octaviano Olympio, one of the richest people in Togo in the early 1900s.

After graduating from the London School of Economics, he worked for Unilever and became the general manager of the African operations of that company. After WWII, he became prominent in efforts for independence of Togo and his party won the 1958 election, making him the prime minister of the country. His power was further cemented when Togo achieved independence and he won the 1961 election, making him the first president of Togo. He was assassinated during the 1963 Togolese coup d’état.

He was born in Kpandu in the German protectorate of Togoland. He was the grandson to the important Brazilian trader Francisco Olympio Sylvio and son to Ephiphanio Olympio, who ran the prominent trading house for the Miller Brothers from Liverpool in Agoué.

His early education was at the German Catholic school in Lomé, which his uncle Octaviano had built for the Society for the Divine Word. He began studying at the London School of Economics, where he studied economics. He worked for Unilever first in Nigeria and the Gold Coast. He was located to be the head of Unilever operations in Togoland. He was promoted to become the general manager of the United Africa Company.

During WWII, the colony came under the control of the Vichy France government which treated the Olympio family with general suspicion because of their ties to the British. He was arrested in 1942 and held under constant surveillance in the remote city of Djougou in French Dahomey. The imprisonment changed his view toward the French and he would become active in pushing for independence of Togo at the end of the war.

He is remembered as the first president to be assassinated during a military coup in Africa. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence

[gpnaudiencia7g]

Togolese President Arrives in Beijing 

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[hicginewsagency]

Togo holds key parliament ballot after divisive reform.

One of the voters custing her vote .courtesy image Togolese vote in legislative elections on Monday after a divisive constitutional reform that opponents say allows President Faure Gnassingbe to extend his family’s decades-long grip in power The ballot comes after lawmakers approved the reform this month that creates a new prime minister-style post opponents fear is tailored for Gnassingbe to…

[ghanashowbizonline]

Sports News - Togolese referee Kouassi Attisso Attiogbe to officiate Asante Kotoko vs ASEC Mimosas President’s Cup clash

Sports News Hub – bringing you all trending daily sports news as it happens. Get daily comprehensive summary of the recent news & events that have rocked the sports world. Check out the news below. The highly anticipated Independence Day President’s Cup encounter between Asante Kotoko SC and ASEC Mimosas on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, will be officiated by referee…

[brexiiton]

Around 20 Killed in Burkina Faso Suspected Terror Attack

August 07, 2023 3:37 PM

Agence France-Presse

Map of Burkina Faso

OUAGADOUGOU, BURKINA FASO - Around 20 people were killed in a suspected terror attack in Burkina Faso, security and local sources told Agence France-Presse on Monday.

The Sunday attack in the Centre-East region near the Togolese border killed "around 20 people, mostly traders," a security source told AFP, while a trader put the toll at 25, and another aid there were a dozen wounded.

More than 16,000 civilians, troops and police have died in terror attacks, according to an NGO count, including more than 5,000 since the start of this year.

More than 2 million people have also been displaced within their country, making it one of the worst internal displacement crises in Africa.

Captain Ibrahim Traore seized power in Burkina Faso in a September 2022 coup which ousted Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, who in January that year had toppled the country's last elected president, Roch Marc Christian Kabore.

The motive for both coups was anger at failures to stem a rebel insurgency that has claimed thousands of lives since spilling over from neighboring Mali in 2015.

[afro-impact]

Togo: The government receives congratulations from UNFPA for its policy of promoting women and young people

Togo: The government receives congratulations from UNFPA for its policy of promoting women and young people

The Deputy Executive Director for Programmes of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) was in the office of the Togolese President on Tuesday 1st March. Dr Diene Keita, congratulated President Faure Gnassingbé for the initiatives taken in favour of women and young people as well as the progress made in terms of female leadership. These different actions make Togo a model for the African…

[nigeriangossip]

Togolese President Gnassingbe To Remain In Power Until 2030 https://nigeriagossipz.blogspot.com/2019/05/togolese-president-gnassingbe-to-remain.html

[mostlysignssomeportents]

NSO Group cyberweapons targeted Togo's opposition

The NSO Group makes powerful cyberweapons; they claim that these are only used by legitimate governments against terrorists and criminals, but they keep getting used by despots and autocrats to neutralize opponents, including NGOs, journalists, and democratic oppositions.

Much of what we know about NSO's role in dictators harassment, torture and murder is thanks to Citizen Lab, whose independent research has been invaluable - it's thanks to them that we know about NSO's role in the kidnapping, murder and dismemberment of Jamal Khashoggi.

This led to ex-Mossad agents targeting Citizen Lab's academic researchers, an action widely presumed to have been undertaken at NSO's behest:

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/28/world/black-cube-nso-citizen-lab-intelligence.html

Now (yet again!), Citizen Lab has released a detailed report of NSO's weapons being trained on democratic opposition figures by tyrannical despots; in this case, it's the dictator of Togo's enemies, including Catholic human rights advocates in Togo.

https://citizenlab.ca/2020/08/nothing-sacred-nso-sypware-in-togo/

Among the victims: Monseigneur Benoît Comlan Alowonou, Bishop of Kpalimé, who was targeted in smear campaigns after he criticized the Togolese dictator Faure Gnassingbé, who inherited the presidency from his father in 2005.

Also targeted: Father Pierre Marie-Chanel Affognon, who was smeared in a campaign that used personal information presumed to have been stolen from his devices by NSO's weapons.

Political figures were also in NSO's crosshairs: opposition leaders Elliott Ohin and Raymond Houndjo were both targeted by Pegasus, NSO's flagship malware.

Togo is a desperately poor, repressive state, ranked 167/189 in the 2019 United Nations Human Development Index. Like many of NSO's customers, it lacks any hope of developing its own Made-in-Togo digital authoritarian toolsuite.

Instead, it relies on NSO Group to provide the products for turnkey networked authoritarianism, to bring cold efficiency to its programs of arbitrary detention, arrests, torture and murder.

"The Togolese government uses technical means to curb dissent. Authorities have disrupted mobile phone and internet service during protests and on election days to suppress protest and to curtail press coverage."

[annafricatv]

Africa Criminalizes Trafficking Of Fake Drugs

Africa Criminalizes Trafficking Of Fake Drugs

A summit in Lome, Togo’s capital, where seven African leaders and their partners were present on Saturday, has yielded an agreement to criminalize trafficking of fake drugs on the continent.  The leaders agree to take this step to tackle the menace that affect more than a hundred thousand persons in sub-Sahara Africa.

One of the leaders, Togolese president Faure Gnassingbe, said Africa must take…

[lboogie1906]

President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé (born June 6, 1966) is a Togolese politician who has been the president of Togo since 2006. Before assuming the presidency, he was appointed by his father, President Gnassingbé Eyadéma, as Minister of Equipment, Mines, Posts, and Telecommunications (2003-05). His parents were Etienne Gnassingbé Eyadema and Veronica Massan.

His father seized power in a military coup that overthrew the government of President Nicolas Grunitzky. His father became president of Togo.

He was educated in Lome and he studied at the Sorbonne where he earned degrees in Economics and International Relations. He earned an MBA from George Washington University. He was a financial advisor to his father and managed his vast business interests.

In June 2002, he ran for a seat in parliament and won. He was appointed Minister of Transportation, Mines, and Equipment by his father.

President Etienne Gnassingbé Eyadema died. The military stepped in and named him as his father’s successor. This coup was denounced throughout Africa and the world. International pressure was applied and he responded by briefly stepping down. The speaker of parliament, Bonfoh Abass, was appointed interim president until an election could be held in April 2006. He was elected president with 60% of the vote.

He was re-elected in 2012 he formed a new political party, the Union for the Republic, which won a majority of seats in the 2013 parliamentary elections. In the April 25, 2015, presidential election, He was reelected with almost 59 percent of the vote.

The legislative elections in December 2018 were boycotted by the protesters which resulted in his party and allies winning a majority of seats—enough to pass constitutional amendments. In May 2019 a constitutional amendment was passed limiting a president to two terms of office. The amendment was not retroactive. giving him the option to run in 2020 and 2025. He ran in the election of February 2020 winning more than 70% of the vote. He is married to Nana Ama Kufuor. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence

[smindersonfan]

Top 10 most ridiculous things that’s happened on Last Week Tonight

So I’ve been watching Last Week Tonight clips and I can’t help it, kinda think John Oliver’s attractive esPECIALLY because he’s insightful and hilarious and apparently, I’m trash for that. So here are the rules. I’m counting down the top ten moments Last Week Tonight really drove me bonkers with internal tinglings of laughs. So if you’re ready, then I’m ready. Let’s delve deep, shall we?

10. Tostito addicted Seagull (Floods segment) Each time that Seagull came on, I laughed hysterically until he said something insightful and then when he came back around and went back to the begging for Tostitos, I died again. Ridiculous.

9. Robocalling the FCC (Robocalls segment) The VERY first thing I ever saw of John’s work on LWT via YouTube, I watched as John called AT&T “Business Daddy” and then unleashed Hell with the tech guy who helped him recall a robocall telling five FCC Commissioners to put an end to Robocalling. I started exploring more of John’s shenanigans after that.

8. Space Sex Geckos (Space Sex Geckos saga of segments) From getting everyone to make the hashtag to making a webisode about it to telling them to rest in peace in their space coffin. Even sending them off to an edited version of “Say something”. It amused me almost as much as that gifset in the Hugh Dancy tag from the movie Coach where he says he thinks it’s beautiful to get kids to make them feel like they’re a part of something big. And that was the most PAINFULLY Andersonesque thing I’ve seen him do. I’ve seen Hugh Dancy do by the way, not John Oliver.

7. Blowing up the 2016 sign in a stadium (President-elect Trump episode) The dramatic way he did it, the camera panning in and out on the fires going off, John being zoomed in on as he turned his back on it after blowing it up? He made his point because 2016 sucked bricks of shit but quite frankly? So did last year so...yeah. FUCK 2016!

6. The Supreme Court of dogs (Supreme Court Segment) DOGGIES DOGGIES DOGGIES DOGGIES DOGGIES DOGGIES DOGGIES DOGGIES DOGGIES DOGGIES DOGGIES ASSISDUCK CHICKENOGRAPHER!!!!!

5. The biggest one time giveaway in TV history (Debt buyers segment) One of the most charitable things he’s done on the show, it’s overthetop and he beat out Oprah Winfrey’s car giveaway by almost DOUBLE.

4. The better Marlon Bundo children’s book where he’s Gay (Mike Pence segment) It’s at #4 because this was another charity thing he was doing. And the thing was, he wasn’t even expecting to get that book sold, yet it stood at one point as Amazon’s bestselling book of all time, I think? That is according to Ellen when John was on there.

3. Jeff the Diseased Lung in a Cowboy hat (Tobacco Segment) Another charitable thing, John gave the countries of Uragray and Togo an image that combined Australia’s plain packaging “Zitti lung” as John called it and the Marlboro Man, who seemed to definitely suffer from Emphezyma. He was on billboards in Uragray and on T-shirts sent to Togolese families to show that smoking could kill. And kids love him just as much as they loved Joe Camel in the ‘60′s.

Now the top two are really ridiculous and make me laugh harder than how hard I cry at Fievel and Tanya duetting on “Somewhere Out There”. Without further adieu, let’s jump in.

2. Felicity (Nuclear Waste segment) When she just appeared on his desk and he freaked out so viscerally, I thought I was gonna get the hiccups after. I still laugh that hard.

1. Mr. Nutter Butter (Coal Segment) From the childish way John introduces him [LOOK BOB! LOOK! IT’S MR. NUTTER BUTTER, BOB!] to the way he talks to Mr. Nutter Butter, to the way they look at each other before Mr. Nutter Butter talks to him to finally when Mr. Nutter Butter presents that giant check for three acorns and $0.18 made out to Eat shit, Bob and memoed as Kiss my ass? That’s about not only the funniest thing in LWT history, but also the most ridiculous thing I’ve seen in my life and I’m glad to call it the most ridiculous Last Week Tonight moment.