| Remain a Trust Territory or an autonomous region within the French Union? | |
| Country: | France |
| Flag Year: | 1794 |
| Yes Text: | Autonomous region within the French Union |
| No Text: | Trust Territory |
| Yes: | 313,458 |
| No: | 22,320 |
| Invalid: | 3,003 |
| Electorate: | 438,175 |
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.