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Dynastic dictatorship

Faure Gnassingbé, Togo's new leader, is not as wily as his late father

Togo's succession was never going to be an easy matter. When he died on 5 February, President Gnassingbé Eyadéma had been in power for 38 years, resisting pressure for change and exploiting his status as Africa's longest-serving leader to the full. He had not quite completed the positioning of his second son, Faure Gnassingbé, to take over, and the army had to manoeuvre their man into the top job. But the new President doesn't have the same respect among African leaders as his father and can't get away with the same contempt for the rule of law....

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Dynastic dictatorship

Faure Gnassingbé, Togo's new leader, is not as wily as his late father

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