In both the colonial and post-colonial eras, many African states have been plagued by some of the world’s worst leaders. These leaders often amass immense wealth while ruling over impoverished populations and remain unaccountable for the suffering and deaths of their people. They use their power to exploit their countries’ resources and citizens, forcing them to work for the leaders’ personal gain and resorting to brutal retaliation against dissent.
Several of these tyrants came to power through military coups, and some were propped up during the Cold War through proxy wars, despite rampant corruption, rising inflation, and hindered humanitarian efforts. The list of such leaders is not exhaustive, but here are a few examples:
1. Francisco Macias Nguema (Equatorial Guinea): He became the country’s first president in 1968 and consolidated absolute power, resulting in widespread oppression, fear, and exile of a significant portion of the population.
2. General Sani Abacha (Nigeria): Abacha’s repressive regime, which lasted only five years, caused Nigeria’s economic decline and widespread corruption. He gained absolute authority and misappropriated vast sums of money.
3. Robert Mugabe (Zimbabwe): Despite allegations of electoral fraud and corruption, Mugabe clung to power, leading Zimbabwe into economic ruin with soaring unemployment. His personal wealth starkly contrasted with the nation’s poverty.
4. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo (Equatorial Guinea): Succeeding his uncle, he became one of the world’s longest-serving presidents, initially promising to end oppression but maintaining authoritarian rule.……See More
The Only Arab Nation With Around 0.1% Of Moslems And 97% Christians