Togo Autonomous Republic (1956

During World War I on 26 August 1914, the German protectorate of Togoland in West Africa was invaded by French and British forces. After a brief resistance, Togoland fell and was divided into French and British administrative zones in 1916. Following the war, Togoland formally became a League of Nations mandate divided for administrative purposes between France and the United Kingdom. After World War II, the territory became a United Nations (UN) Trust Territory, administered by France.

In 1955 French Togoland became an autonomous republic within the French union, although it retained its UN trusteeship status. A legislative assembly elected by universal adult suffrage had considerable power over internal affairs, with an elected executive body headed by a prime minister responsible to the legislature. Following a referendum in 1956 a new constitution for the Autonomous Republic of Togo was approved. This was followed by full independence from France, and shedding its UN trusteeship status on 27 April 1960.

In 1957 Togo adopted a green flag with two stars. The stars symbolised French Togo and British Togoland with the French tricolor in the canton. This flag was used in 1957 and 1958. The colour and location of the stars is not certain (cf. the flag by Mark Sensen). Sometime in 1958 the flag was amended and the French tricolour was removed. This flag was used until independence in 1960. The flags are drawn here with a ratio of 3:5.
Jaume Ollé, 03 March 1996

Togo Autonomous Republic (1956 - 1960)

République autonome du Togo

Autonomous Republic (1956-1960)

Image by Mark Sensen	Image by Jaume Ollé. Source: Durvan Encyclopedia.
Image by Jaume Ollé. Source: Durvan Encyclopedia.