Africa’s Oldest Leaders: What exactly do they want?

Africa, a continent teeming with diversity, culture, and history, is home to some of the world’s oldest leaders. These guys have been in charge for a long time, defying criticism from their citizens and the rest of the world. Let’s take a closer look at these ancient leaders and figure out what they really want.

ROBERT MUGABE

Robert Mugabe, former President of Zimbabwe, is probably the most famous of the bunch. Mugabe was a larger-than-life figure who ruled Zimbabwe for 37 years with an iron fist. He was a hero in the early days of Zimbabwe’s independence, but his reputation quickly deteriorated due to his authoritarianism, corruption, and economic mismanagement.

Mugabe was born on February 21, 1924, in what was then Southern Rhodesia. He was a bright student who excelled in his studies and eventually became a teacher. However, he soon became involved in politics and joined the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU), a political party that was fighting for independence from white minority rule.

In 1964, Mugabe was arrested and imprisoned for ten years for his political activities. However, he continued to fight for independence from behind bars and became a symbol of resistance against the white minority government. He was released from prison in 1974 and went into exile in Mozambique, where he continued to lead the struggle against white minority rule.

Zimbabwe finally gained independence in 1980, and Mugabe became the country’s first black Prime Minister. He was hailed as a hero and a champion of democracy, but his true intentions soon became apparent. Mugabe was more interested in consolidating his power than in building a democratic and prosperous Zimbabwe.

In 1987, Mugabe became President of Zimbabwe after the country’s constitution was amended to create an executive presidency. He became increasingly authoritarian over time, and his regime was marked by widespread corruption, human rights abuses, and economic mismanagement. Mugabe was re-elected as President in 1990, 1996, 2002, 2008, and 2013, but these elections were marred by allegations of fraud and vote rigging.

Mugabe’s downfall came in 2017 when he was ousted in a military coup. He was replaced by his former Vice President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, who promised to bring change and reform to Zimbabwe. However, Mnangagwa’s regime has been criticized for its own human rights abuses and lack of progress on democratic reform.

What did Mugabe really want? Power. He wanted to be in charge, no matter the cost, even if it meant putting his people’s well-being on the back burner.

PAUL BIYA

Paul Biya, the current President of Cameroon, is another one of Africa’s antique leaders. He’s been in power since 1982, which means he’s been ruling Cameroon for longer than most people have been alive. But what do we really know about this enigmatic leader? Here are some things to keep in mind:

Firstly, Biya was born on February 13, 1933, which makes him a sprightly 89 years old. Despite his advanced age, he still manages to cling to power with an iron grip. Rumors abound that he’s a vampire who feeds on the blood of his opponents, but we’re not sure if there’s any truth to that.

Biya’s personal life is shrouded in mystery, but we do know that he’s been married to his wife, Chantal Biya, since 1994. Chantal is known for her flamboyant fashion sense and her love of expensive jewelry, which she often shows off on social media. Some people speculate that she’s the real power behind the throne, but we can’t confirm or deny that.

When it comes to politics, Biya is a master of the game. He’s managed to survive multiple coup attempts, internal power struggles, and opposition protests over the years. He’s also managed to maintain Cameroon’s stability in a region that’s been plagued by conflict and instability.

However, Biya’s rule hasn’t been without its controversies. Human rights groups have accused his regime of repression, torture, and extrajudicial killings. Journalists who criticize him often find themselves in trouble with the law, and opposition politicians are routinely harassed and arrested.

Despite these criticisms, Biya continues to hold onto power, and he shows no signs of stepping down anytime soon. He’s already the second-longest serving President in Africa, and he could easily break the record if he manages to hold on for a few more years.

In conclusion, Paul Biya is a wily old fox who’s managed to outsmart his opponents and hold onto power for almost four decades. Whether you love him or hate him, you have to admit that he’s a master of the political game. But at 89 years old, it’s anyone’s guess how much longer he can keep it up.

He thinks he’s the only one who can lead Cameroon, and he’s willing to use any means necessary to stay in charge, including squashing dissent and violating human rights.

TEODORO OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO

Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, the President of Equatorial Guinea, is Africa’s longest-serving leader, having ruled since 1979. Obiang took control of the country in a military coup, and his regime has been marked by corruption, human rights abuses, and political suppression. What does Obiang want? To keep his family in control of Equatorial Guinea. His son, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, is the country’s vice president and is widely regarded as Obiang’s heir apparent.

YOWERI MUSEVENI

Yoweri Museveni, the President of Uganda, has been in power since 1986, making him one of Africa’s most ancient leaders. Museveni also seized power in a military coup and initially was praised for bringing stability and development to Uganda. However, his regime has been stained by corruption, human rights violations, and political repression. What does Museveni want? To maintain his grip on power and keep his ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) in charge of Uganda. He’s been accused of election rigging and stifling opposition, but also lauded for his efforts to enhance the country’s economy and infrastructure.

OVERVIEW

All these leaders have one thing in common: they want power, and they’ll do anything to keep it. They think they’re the only ones capable of running their countries, and that’s led to a lot of problems. Corruption, human rights violations, and political repression have plagued these countries and slowed down their development.

What can be done to solve this? The international community needs to pressure these leaders to step down and allow for free and fair elections. African organizations need to be more vocal about promoting democracy and good governance. Civil society organizations and the media should also be instrumental in holding these leaders accountable.

It’s high time for these old leaders to pass the baton to a new generation of leaders who are more in tune with the needs and aspirations of their people. The world is changing fast, and these leaders need to adapt to the new realities of the 21st century. Holding onto power for decades is not the answer, and it’s only leading to stagnation and decline.

Moreover, these antique leaders are not only clinging to power for themselves, but also for their families and close associates. In many African countries, politics has become a family business, with leaders grooming their sons, daughters, and relatives to take over after them. This trend of family dynasties is unhealthy and undemocratic, as it prevents other qualified individuals from rising to power and stifles competition.

It’s also worth noting that these antique leaders have not always been bad for their countries. Some of them, like Mugabe and Museveni, were once hailed as liberators and reformers, who brought much-needed stability and development to their countries. However, they became corrupt and authoritarian over time and failed to live up to their promises of democratization and good governance.

Therefore, it’s crucial to have a system of checks and balances in place to prevent leaders from becoming too powerful and entrenched in power. This includes having an independent judiciary, a free press, and robust civil society organizations that can hold leaders accountable and ensure that they respect the rule of law and human rights.

In conclusion, Africa’s oldest leaders want power and control, and they’ll stop at nothing to keep it. However, their obsession with power is causing more harm than good, and it’s time for them to step down and allow for a new generation of leaders to take over. The international community, African organizations, civil society, and the media all have a role to play in promoting democracy, good governance, and accountability in Africa. By doing so, we can ensure a brighter future for the Africa continent and its people.

First published on Paradux Africa