Since Gnassingbe Eyadema took office, he has pursued the policy of national reconciliation, devoted himself to the stability and unity of the country and attached importance to the development of the national economy. In order to safeguard the economic rights and interests of the nation and the country, Eyadema announced on June 5438+0974 65438+ 10/0 that Benin Mining Company, the largest enterprise controlled by French capital, would be nationalized and the phosphate trade would be managed by Togolese institutions. This decision was warmly welcomed by the Togolese people. However, because the economic interests of the West were violated, they waited for revenge and harmed Eyadema. 1974 65438+1On October 24th, Eyadema's plane suddenly crashed over Salakka Wa near Ramakala, but Eyadema miraculously survived. When I returned to Lomé, the capital, Lomé residents took to the streets and were welcomed. More than 6.5438+0.5 million people gathered in the Independence Square alone, singing and dancing to celebrate the victory. To this day, every year on February 2nd, Togolese TV will replay the grand occasion of Independence Square.

Due to the pragmatic and moderate economic liberalization policy, investment and tourism have developed rapidly. From 65438 to 0977, the Togolese government launched a "green revolution" nationwide, with the primary goal of developing agriculture and realizing food self-sufficiency, which enabled Togo to achieve food self-sufficiency in the early 1980s. 65438-0983 implemented the economic system reform plan, with special emphasis on "privatization" of state-owned enterprises. In foreign trade, we have long implemented the "open door" policy, encouraged foreign investment, and maintained close economic ties with the United States, France, Germany and other western countries. Lome Free Trade Zone was established in 1989 to attract foreign investment.

For a long time after Eyadema came to power, Togo's economic growth rate remained at 3% to 5%, and its domestic political situation was stable, so it was known as "Switzerland in Africa".

In the early 1990s, due to political turmoil, Togo's economy once fell into the worst crisis since its independence. After 1994, with the political stability, the economy stepped out of the trough and entered the stage of recovery and development. However, since 1998, due to the suspension of aid from western countries, the development funds are in short supply and the national finance is tight. In 2002, the Togolese government made great efforts to restore and revitalize the economy, increase fiscal revenue through increasing revenue and reducing expenditure, and strengthen customs supervision. It has made great progress in promoting enterprise privatization, economic liberalization and attracting foreign investment. Industrial and agricultural production and tertiary industry gradually recovered, and foreign exchange increased. But Togo's overall economy is still very difficult.

Gnassingbe Eyadema started from the army and experienced actual combat training in the war in his early years. The army is an important capital for him to get rich, dominate Togo's political arena and maintain autocratic rule, so he attaches great importance to national defense construction and control of the army. The total strength of the Togolese armed forces is about 9,300, of which 8,550 are from the army, navy and air force and 750 are from the Presidential Guard. Gendarmerie 1750. The army is equipped with main battle tanks, light tanks, armored vehicles and field guns. The navy has two patrol boats; The air force has 18 fighters, transport planes and 3 helicopters.

Togo's armed forces are a huge military force for a small country. They have been playing a decisive role in Togo's political life since 1963 and have played a key role in all previous political changes.

On the diplomatic front, Eyadema pursues a neutral, non-aligned and good-neighborly foreign policy and advocates establishing friendly and cooperative relations with all countries on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. Focus on developing relations with western countries and strive for foreign aid; At the same time, pay attention to diplomatic diversification and strengthen relations with Asian countries.

He upheld justice, opposed hegemonism, and strongly supported Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) in resisting the invasion of the Soviet Union and ancient mercenaries (at that time, Cuban revolutionary hero Ernesto Guevara assumed the name of Commander Tatu, led guerrillas in Zaire, tried to establish a "world revolutionary stove" in the "heart of Africa" and supported Laurent Dé siré Kabila's anti-government armed forces). Eyadema often said, "When neighbors are on fire, they must help each other." This is a famous saying that has been passed down to this day. June, 5438+September, 0986, the attempted coup in Togo, Zairian President Mobutu led elite paratroopers to Lomé to support Eyadema.

Eyadema attaches importance to the unity and cooperation of African countries, actively participates in African regional affairs and promotes regional economic integration. He actively promoted economic cooperation in West Africa, was one of the main advocates of economic integration in West African countries, and campaigned for the development of western integration. 1977- 1978, 1980- 198 1 and 1999, and served as the executive chairman of the west African economies for three times.

1968 Participated in mediating disputes between Nigeria and C? te d 'Ivoire (now C? te d 'Ivoire) and Gabon. 1974, together with Niger and other heads of state, he mediated the border conflict between Mali and Haute-Walter (now Burkina Faso). 1978 is the main mediator of the historic reconciliation between C? te d 'Ivoire, Senegal and Guinea. 1981March, with the promotion of Eyadema, the once tense relationship between C? te d 'Ivoire and Ghana was restored.

From July 9, 2000 to July, 2000, he served as Executive Chairman of the Organization of African Unity and actively mediated the conflicts in Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone and C? te d 'Ivoire. We have sent peacekeeping troops to Central Africa and Guinea-Bissau and military observers to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Since 1980, Eyadema has successively won seven international peace prizes: Simba Peace Prize (1980), International People Peace Prize and International Progress Award (1983), Peace Warrior Award (1983), Mercury Peace Prize and Grand Order of the Knight of Sinai (65438).