from the 11th century to the 16th century, various tribes entered the region from all directions: the ewé from the east, and the mina and guin from the west; most of them settled in coastal areas. the portuguese explored the area in the late 15th century. as togoland, it became a protectorate of germany in 1884. after world war i, togo was ceded to the french. togo gained independence from french rule in the 1960s. general gnassingbé eyadéma became the military leader in 1967. when eyadéma resigned in 2002 and later died in 2005, his son, faure gnassingbe became president.