The Assassination of Sylvanus Olympio: Prelude to Togo’s Political Struggle
On January 13, 1963, Sylvanus Olympio, the first President of Togo, was assassinated by a group of soldiers led by Sergeant Etienne Gnassingbe Eyadema, who then went on to seize power for himself. This event sparked a long and tumultuous political struggle in the West African nation, which would continue for decades to come.
Sylvanus Olympio rose to power in Togo in 1960, after leading the country to independence from French colonial rule. The charismatic leader quickly gained popularity among the Togolese people due to his stance against authoritarianism and his commitment to social and economic development.
However, not all were in favor of Olympio’s rule. The army, in particular, was unhappy with the President’s decision to merge the army with the police force, reducing their power and control. This decision, along with other reforms and policies, led to growing tension between the government and the military.
On the morning of January 13, 1963, Sergeant Etienne Gnassingbe Eyadema, along with a group of soldiers, stormed the Presidential Palace in the capital city of Lomé. They opened fire on the guards, killing them, and then proceeded to enter the President’s bedroom and assassinate him. Olympio’s wife and daughter were also injured in the attack.
In the aftermath of the assassination, Eyadema declared himself as the new President of Togo and announced that Olympio’s death was necessary for the country’s stability. He justified the coup by accusing Olympio of being a dictator and mismanaging the economy. However, many believe that the real motive behind the assassination was the military’s desire to retain power and control.
The assassination of President Olympio marked the beginning of a long period of political instability in Togo. Eyadema’s rule was characterized by authoritarianism, political repression, and corruption, which led to widespread dissatisfaction and opposition from various groups.
On the morning of January 13, 1963, Togo’s first President Sylvanus Olympio was assassinated by a group of soldiers led by Sergeant Etienne Gnassingbe Eyadema. The assassination sparked a long and tumultuous political struggle in the West African nation. Sylvanus Olympio gained popularity among the Togolese people for his stance against authoritarianism and commitment to social and economic development. The army, unhappy with Olympio’s policies and reforms, took advantage of the growing tension between them and the government to seize power for themselves. Eyadema declared himself as the new President and justified the coup by accusing Olympio of being a dictator and mismanaging the economy. However, many believe that the real motive behind the assassination was the military’s desire to retain power and control. Eyadema’s rule was marked by corruption, political repression, and authoritarianism, leading to widespread dissatisfaction and opposition from various groups. 
