Sylvanus Olympio

Sylvanus Olympio was a Togolese independence leader and the country's first president, serving from 1960 until his assassination in 1963.

Togoland: Togoland was a German protectorate in West Africa, later divided into British and French-administered territories. Olympio’s political life unfolded in the French-administered territory that became independent Togo.
Togo Armed Forces: The Togo Armed Forces are the national military of the Republic of Togo. Olympio kept the military small, a policy that became central to the crisis surrounding his overthrow.
Nicolas Grunitzky: Nicolas Grunitzky was a Togolese politician who succeeded Olympio as president after the 1963 coup. A political rival before independence, he became president after Olympio’s overthrow.
History of Togo: The history of Togo covers the societies, colonial rule, independence, and political changes of the West African country. Olympio’s presidency and assassination mark a defining turning point in the country’s postcolonial history.
French Togoland: French Togoland was the League of Nations and United Nations trust territory that became the Republic of Togo. It was the territory Olympio led through self-government to independence.
CFA franc: The CFA franc is the name of two currencies used by countries in West and Central Africa. Olympio sought greater monetary autonomy from the French-linked currency system.
Gnassingbé Eyadéma: Gnassingbé Eyadéma was a Togolese military officer who became president after the 1967 coup and ruled for decades. Eyadéma was among the soldiers involved in the 1963 coup that killed Olympio.
Togo: Togo is a country on the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa, between Ghana and Benin. Olympio led the country at independence and remains central to its national history.
Éwé people: The Éwé are a West African people whose communities span present-day Ghana, Togo, and Benin. Olympio’s family and political base were connected to Togo’s Éwé communities.
West African Monetary Union: The West African Monetary Union is a regional organization coordinating monetary policy among West African states using the CFA franc. Togo’s monetary ties were an important constraint on Olympio’s plans for economic independence.

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Faure GnassingbéRelated: His overthrow began the military-dominated political era that preceded the Gnassingbé family’s rule.