Some African will rather die hanging on to power than to hand over to someone else.
Some have been ruling for over 30years and have refused to step down. Some have tried to change the constitution to extend their stay in power while some others have been forced to step down due to uprising.
Only a few African leaders cede power voluntarily or resist the temptation to change constitution to allow them to contest again.
Just recently, 39-year-old Emmanuel Macron won the French election making him France’s youngest leader since the famed French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, who took power at age 35.
Some of African leaders came into power when Macron was only two years old and they are still holding on to power.
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ZENITHBLOG.com has compiled a list of some African leaders who have been in power since Macron was still learning how to walk and talk.
1. Denis Sassou Nguesso of Congo
Denis Sassou Nguesso is a Congolese politician who was previously President from 1979 to 1992 and came back in 1997
He came into power when Macron was just two years old. Born on November 23, 1943, this Congolese politician was president from 1979 to 1992. He returned to power in 1997. He contested again in the 2002 presidential election and won. He was re-elected in the 2009 presidential election. The introduction of a new constitution, passed by referendum in 2015, enabled him to stand for another term and he was once again re-elected in the 2016 presidential election.
2. José Eduardo dos Santos of Angola
José Eduardo dos Santos is an Angolan politician who has been President of Angola since 1979
This is another African leader who took over power when Macron was just two years of age. Born on August 28, 1942, Santos is the second-longest-serving leader in Africa. He was elected after the death of Angola’s first president, Agostinho Neto, on 10 September 1979, and has remained in power ever since.
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3. Theodoro Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea
Nguema is the longest-serving leader in Africa
Born on June 5, 1942, he has been president since 1979. He is the
4. Paul Biya of Cameroon
Biya became president in 1982 and 35 years after he still in power
When Biya became president in 1982, Macron was just five and 35-years later, he is still holding on to power. Born on February 13, 1933, he succeeded his Ahidjo as president following the latter’s surprise resignation in 1982.
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5. Robert Gabriel Mugabe of Zimbabwe
Mugabe has governed Zimbabwe as its president since 1987
Macron was a 10-year-old boy when Mugabe became president of the Republic of Zimbabwe Born February 21, 1924, he has governed the country as president since 1987, having previously governed as its Prime Minister from 1980 to 1987. He is over 90 years old is still in power, 30 years after.
6. Idriss Déby Itno of Chad
Déby became President in 1990 and is still in power
When Macron was only a 13-year-old boy, Déby became president. Born on June 18, 1952, he has been in power since 1990, and has remained there.
These grandfathers in Africa have been in power for decades and most of them are finding it hard to cope with the realities of the 21st century.
Soon, they would travel to France to plead for assistance from a man who could pass for their grandson.
This prompts the question, why do African leaders cling onto power?
In the video below, ZENITHBLOG.com conducts a vox pop on the Buhari 2019 posters that have been seen in some parts of Nigeria.
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