A referendum on autonomy was held in
French Togoland on 28 October 1956. Since World War I, the territory had been a
League of Nations mandate and then a
United Nations Trust Territory under
French control.[1][2] The referendum offered residents the choice of remaining a Trust Territory or becoming an autonomous region within the
French Union. The result was 93% in favour of the latter, with a 77% turnout.[3] However, the referendum was rejected by the
United Nations General Assembly as it had not included the option of independence and opted to continue with the trusteeship. In neighbouring
British Togoland, a
referendum earlier in the year had resulted in the territory becoming part of
Ghana.
The trusteeship was ended in 1960 when French Togoland became independent as
Togo.[2]
^
abPaxton, John (1985).
"Togo". In Paxton, John (ed.). Statistical and Historical Annual of the States of the World for the Year 1985–1986. The Statesman’s Year-Book. Palgrave Macmillan UK. pp. 1177–1180.
doi:
10.1057/9780230271142.
ISBN978-0-230-27114-2.