The Kabiye [spelt "Kabile" or "Kabye" in other sources] and Ewe are Togo's major ethnic groups (New African Year Book 1999/2000, 476; Country Reports 2001-2002; The African American 2000). Comprising over 20 per cent of Togo's population, the Ewe are the largest ethnic group in the south, whereas President Eyadema's Kabye group, which forms over 10 per cent of the population, is the largest ethnic group in the north (Country Reports 2001, 2002). The Ewe and the Ewe/Mina and Kabiye languages are the only two used in the educational system (The African American 2000).

Country Reports 2001 states that although there are no legal restrictions on the participation of ethnic minorities in government and politics, " members of the southern ethnic groups were underrepresented; however, no ethnic group, including the President's, was overrepresented conspicuously in the Cabinet" (2002). Additional information on inter-ethnic discrimination between members of the Kabiye and Ewe ethnic groups is contained in Country 2001 available on the US State Department of State Website.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

The African American. 2000. " International Missions - Active Countries- Togo." http://www.fcbh.org/africanamerican/InternationalMissions/togo.htm [Accessed 15 Mar. 2002]

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2001. 2002. United States Department of State. Washington, DC. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2001/af/8408.htm[Accessed 14 Mar. 2002]

New African Year Book. 1999/2000. 12th edition. London: IC Publications.

Africa Confidential

Africa Research Bulletin

Afrique/Asie

L'Autre Afrique

Jeune Afrique

Lettre de la FIDH

LEXIS/NEXIS

Oral sources

Resource Centre. Togo. Country File

West Africa

Internet sites including:

All Africa

Search engines including:

Google

Mamma

Metacrawler