Togo and South Africa establish diplomatic relations following a visit by Nelson Mandela

Date: 13 Jan 1997
Updated: 11 Jan 2021

Togo and South Africa flags, featured on an enamel pin — Togo and South Africa flags on an enamel pin

After a visit, that only lasted a few hours, by then President Nelson Mandela in 1996, Togo and South Africa set the platform to establish diplomatic relations. President Mandela met then President of Togo, Gnassingbé Eyadéma, to review the situation in West Africa. A year later, on 13 January 1996, diplomatic relations were formally established between the two countries. Togo does not have ambassadorial representation in South Africa, and South Africa’s Côte d'Ivoire ambassador, based in Abidjan, and is accredited to Togo on a non-residential basis. South Africans still require a visa to enter Togo.

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How we know this

01IRC, Togo (The Republic of), from International Relations and Cooperation, [online], Available at www.dfa.gov.za [Accessed: 26 November 2013]
02Kalley J. A., Schoeman E. and Andor L.E (1999) Southern African Political History: A chronology of key political events from independence to mid 1997. Greenwood Press, USA, pp 455

Last updated · 11 Jan 2021

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2012, January 6). Togo and South Africa establish diplomatic relations following a visit by Nelson Mandela . South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/nr/ref/E-0071922

South African History Online (2012) 'Togo and South Africa establish diplomatic relations following a visit by Nelson Mandela ', South African History Online, 6 January. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/nr/ref/E-0071922 (Accessed: 23 July 2026).

South African History Online, Togo and South Africa establish diplomatic relations following a visit by Nelson Mandela [website], https://sahistory.org.za/nr/ref/E-0071922, (accessed 23 July 2026).

"Togo and South Africa establish diplomatic relations following a visit by Nelson Mandela ." South African History Online, 6 Jan. 2012, https://sahistory.org.za/nr/ref/E-0071922. Accessed 23 July 2026.

South African History Online. "Togo and South Africa establish diplomatic relations following a visit by Nelson Mandela ." South African History Online. January 6, 2012. https://sahistory.org.za/nr/ref/E-0071922.