The Worst leaders (Dictators) in Africa Today

Most western sources often rate African leaders based solely on statistical figures. The great misconception here is that, "statistics" equate "reality". In the case of Africa, governments in power often falsify statistical figures to give the impression that they (the governments in power) are doing something great. Some western economists and analysts often take those false statistical figures into account which unfortunately distorts the reality.

We, Africans, should be in a better position when it comes to rating our leaders. Why? Because we live with those leaders in Africa and we know what they are capable of doing. We know which statistical figures are true and which figures are false. In this article, let’s forget about the evil dictators (like Idi Amin, Mobutu Sese Seko, etc.) in the past and rather focus on the present. We will take several sources (Wikileaks, Forbes, Aljazeera, BBC, CNN, etc.,) and above all, “reality” into consideration. Let’s begin with:

OMAR AL BASHIR: 

Omar Al Bashir, the president of Sudan, is without any doubt, one of the worst leaders in Africa today if not the worst of them all. He is a dictator and a war criminal. He was the mastermind behind the Darfur Genocide (over 300,000 people died) and has been declared a “Wanted Man” by the International Criminal Court (the ICC) and the entire international community. He has been in power since 1989 and turned 72 this year (2016). He is a brutal dictator and eliminates all oppositions in the dark. All peace-loving and sensible people on this planet will agree with me that Omar Al Bashir deserves at least the death penalty for all the crimes he's committed.

Update:  Ousted. Arrested.

TEODORO OBIANG MBASOGO:

The story of Equatorial Guinea is in fact a very sad one. It is a story that clearly shows how statistical figures can be so deceptive in the case of Africa. It is also a story that clearly shows how one demon can destroy an entire country. Equatorial Guinea is a tiny country (less than 2 million people) by population size yet one of the most oil-rich countries in Africa today. Statistically speaking, Equatorial Guinea is one of the richest countries in Africa with a GDP per capita income of over $21,000. In reality however, Equatorial Guinea remains one of the poorest countries in Africa today with over 70% of its population living below poverty line. Equatorial Guinea has one of the highest under-5 mortality rates in the world today with over 20% of its children dying before the age of 5. There is poor education, poor infrastructure, poor healthcare, poor everything, all because of the actions of one greedy man and his crazy son. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, the president of Equatorial Guinea, is Africa’s longest serving ruler. He has ruled Equatorial Guinea since August 1979 when he overthrew his uncle, Francisco Macías Nguema, in a bloody coup d’état. Teodoro Obiang and his crazy Son, Teodorin Obiang (who is in line to succeed his father), are some of the worst people you’ll ever come across in Africa. They continue to live in luxury with several local and foreign mansions, prostitutes and properties all over the world while their poor countrymen continue to wallow in extreme poverty and hunger. Teodoro Obiang is a brutal dictator and I think he and his crazy son Teodorin deserve at least life imprisonment with hard labor for all the crimes they've committed.

Update:  N/A

JOSE EDUARDO DOS SANTOS: 

Eduardo Dos Santos, the president of Angola, is without a doubt, one of the worst leaders in Africa today. Just like Teodoro Obiang of Equatorial Guinea, Eduardo Dos Santos has been in power since 1979 and has turned the whole of Angola into his private property. Angola is the second-largest oil producer in Sub-Saharan Africa and the world’s fourth largest producer of rough diamonds. In other words, Angola is one of the richest countries in Africa today in terms of natural resources. The sad reality however is that, over 70% of Angola’s population live below the international poverty line with several people living in extreme poverty and hunger all because of the actions of Eduardo Dos Santos, the demon of Angola. There is poverty, hunger, poor education, poor healthcare, etc. yet Isabel Dos Santos, the first daughter of  Eduardo Dos Santos, has miraculously become the richest woman in Africa today with a net worth of over 3.5 billion US dollars. Every struggling Angolan will agree with me that Jose Eduardo Dos Santos and his family deserve at least life imprisonment with hard labor for all the financial and social crimes they've committed.

Update:  Stepped down.

ROBERT MUGABE: 

When it comes to Robert Mugabe, most of us will agree with the western media that he is one of the worst leaders in Africa today. In fact, I personally consider Robert Mugabe the biggest failure in Africa today. Yes, some think he is a hero for fighting against white domination in Zimbabwe. In fact, I also agree that Mugabe was once upon a time, a "hero". However, some of us fail to see the bigger picture. Here is an example. Zimbabwe was once referred to as the "breadbasket of Africa", a title it rightfully deserved. Zimbabwe was a gold standard and a beacon of hope when it came to food production in Africa. It is true that Zimbabwe's racially charged environment strongly favored the white settlers. However, let's not forget the fact that some of those white settlers in Zimbabwe were very great farmers. Mugabe took away huge acres of land and farms from the white farmers but failed to put the land into good use. Mugabe instead gave those fertile agricultural lands to his immediate friends and relatives while the poor farmer had no land at all to farm on. Robert Mugabe has been in power for almost 4 decades now but what additional things has he been able to do for Zimbabwe his country besides "freedom fighting"? Nothing good. Zimbabwe is now one of the poorest countries in the world with the worst inflation ever. At 92 (as of 2016), Robert Mugabe continues to cling on to power. Robert Mugabe may be too old for jail but he is never too old to step down and die in peace.

Update:  Ousted. Passed away (9/6/19).

IDRISS DEBY: 

Chad ranks one of the most corrupt nations in the world today and the man in charge of the Chadian government, Idriss Deby, is one crazy human being. Idriss Deby, the president of Chad, has been in power since December, 1990 brutalizing all oppositions. Idriss Deby is a complete lunatic who loves war more than anything else. Deby uses the little resources and the oil proceeds (that could have helped improve the living conditions of the average Chadian people) to buy weapons and more weapons. All he cares about is the army and war. Chad remains a war-torn country and, without a doubt, one of the poorest countries in the world today with extreme poverty, hunger, poor education, poor healthcare, poor infrastructure, etc. yet all Idriss Deby cares about is weapons and more weapons. Idriss Deby the president of Chad deserves at least the death penalty for all the crimes he's committed.

Update:  Passed away (4/20/21)

PAUL BIYA:

Paul Biya of Cameroon is without a doubt, one of the most dangerous dictators in Africa today. Unlike other dictators, Paul Biya doesn't play dirty in public and because of that, the international community doesn't rank him among the worst. Paul Biya assumed office on November 6, 1982. Yes, over three and half decades ago and has systematically consolidated power to a point where no opposition has a chance. To the outside world, Cameroon is democratic but to the average Cameroonian, there is nothing like democracy in Cameroon. Paul Biya eliminates his enemies in the dark and makes life hell for even the ones he forgives. He sometimes organize "mock" elections to give the impression that he is democratic. He is one of the most corrupt leaders in Africa today and continues to systematically play on the intelligence of his fellow countrymen. He is 84 now (as of Jan. 2018) but not ready to let go. He wants to die a president because to him, Cameroon is his and his alone. 

Update:  N/A

YOWERI MUSEVENI:

Yoweri Museveni may appear funny and jovial because of his weird collection of hats and suits but don't be fooled because this "clown" has been ruling Uganda with iron fist since 1986. Just like Paul Biya of Cameroon, most of his countrymen were not even born yet and he is the only president they've known all their lives. Museveni assumed office on January 29, 1986 and has remained president eversince. Nobody dares question Museveni. Why? Because he is a "freedom fighter" and has bought and paid for Uganda. In other words, Uganda is his family property. He has systematically consolidated power and eliminates oppositions along the way. The consitution of Uganda is like his childhood playbook and continues to write and modify the constitution at will so as to remain in power for ever.  He is one of the most sneaky and corrupt leaders in Africa today. He is 77 years old (as of Jan. 2022) and not ready to let go. 

Update:  N/A

TO BE CONTINUED.

NOTABLE MENTIONS:

1. Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of Ethiopia.

2. Mahamat Deby, Incumbent president of Chad.

3. Ismail Omar Guelleh, president of Djibouti.

4. Isaias Afwerki, president of Eritrea.

5. Mswati III, king of Swaziland.

6. Ali Bongo Ondimba, president of Gabon.

7. Faure Gnassingbe, president of Togo.