Fambaré Ouattara Natchaba

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Fambaré Ouattara Natchaba (born 17 April 1945^[1]) is a Togolese politician. He was the President of the National Assembly of Togo from 2000 to 2005. He is a prominent member of the ruling Rally of the Togolese People (RPT) and is a member of the Pan-African Parliament representing Togo.

Natchaba was born in Gando, Togo. He was Director of the Cabinet of President Gnassingbé Eyadéma from 1977 to 1981 and was a member of the National Committee in charge of drafting the text of the 1980 Constitution. He was an RPT Delegate to the Togolese National Conference in 1991 and was Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation from 14 September 1992 to 20 March 1994.^[1]

He was first elected to the National Assembly in February 1994, representing Oti Prefecture in Savanes Region, and he was re-elected in March 1999 and October 2002. He was President of the RPT Parliamentary Group and First Vice-President of the National Assembly before being elected President of the National Assembly on 3 September 2000.^[1] Following the October 2002 parliamentary election, he was re-elected as President of the National Assembly, with 73 votes in favor, three opposed, one null vote, and one abstention.^[2]

President Eyadéma died on 5 February 2005. Soon after his death, the armed forces sealed its borders with neighboring countries and invested presidential powers in his son Fauré. These moves were in direct contrast to the country's constitution, which stated that the President of National Assembly would serve as acting President of Togo for 60 days until elections were held. Natchaba, who was in Benin at the time of Eyadéma's death, was unable to return to Togo. The military's actions were condemned by the international community as a coup d'etat.

On 6 February, the National Assembly voted to remove Natchaba as its President, and Fauré Gnassingbé was unanimously elected to head the National Assembly. Following increased pressure both inside and outside of Togo, Gnassingbé resigned on 25 February and Bonfoh Abbass was designated as National Assembly President, becoming acting President of Togo.

Accompanied by President Mathieu Kérékou of Benin, Fambaré Natchaba returned to Togo on 5 March 2005. They met with senior army, government, and RPT officials.

Before departing, Kérékou reportedly told leading RPT officials: "I've brought Natchaba to you. He is your brother and has no other option but to reunite with his political family and work within the ranks of the RPT, to perpetuate Eyadéma's legacy."

At the 2006 Inter-Togolese Dialogue, Natchaba signed the Global Political Accord on the electoral process on behalf of the RPT on 20 August 2006.^[3]

Natchaba is married and the father of five children.^[1]