oct 25, 1946 - New political institutions (A.R.T.)

Description:

parliamentary representation
new administrative and judiciary regime
better reglementation (see Agbogbli)

In the first stage of French policy towards its colonies (1946-1956) assemblies were established in the Territories of French West Afirca and French Equatorial Africa, as well as in the Cameroons and Togoland Under French Administration, while provincial assemblies were set up in the five provinces of Madagascar. The granting of the right to vote to more than five million overseas citizens, and progress in the economic and social fields also characterized this first ten-year stage in the poliitical development of the Overseas territories, proclaimed at the Brazzaville Conference in 1944 and given constitutional force by Title VIII of the French Constitution of 1946.


ASSEMBLEE REPRESENTATIVE DU TOGO (ART). Deliberative body established on October 25, 1946, with powers similar to those granted the Conseils Generaux set up by France in her African colonies. Composed of thirty members, six elected by the first electoral college and twenty-four by the second (see DOUBLE ELECTORAL COLLEGE), the assembly had the authority to discuss taxation, customs duties, the organization of the public services, and similar matters. Meeting twice a year, the ART was highly politicized from the outset, with the Comité de l'Unité Togolaise of Sylvanus
Olympio in a dominant position and with Olympio as its president. In 1952 the assembly's name was changed to Assemblée Territoriale du Togo, and power shifted to Nicolas Grunitzky, who was strongly supported by the local French administration.

Added to timeline:

Date: