Africa's aging autocrats fight to stay in power
As some of Africa's longest-serving leaders grow older, they are using different tactics to extend their rule. But age, succession battles and public pressure pose new challenges.
Many African leaders refuse to relinquish power, even as they age. Cameroon's President Paul Biya, now 93, has been in office for 44 years and shows no sign of stepping down. He has recently been spending time abroad, issuing decrees and making decisions from Geneva, Switzerland. The lack of an official successor and a vacant vice president position have led to concerns about potential instability. Analysts warn that Biya's long absence might fuel rivalry among his allies, potentially leading to a military coup.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, 81, is in his eighth term and has recently appointed his son as head of the military. However, his son's rise to power is not solely due to military backing. In Equatorial Guinea, President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, 90, is gradually transferring power to his son, Teodorin, who has been the first vice president since 2016.
In Zimbabwe, President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently approved a constitutional amendment that extends presidential terms from five to seven years and removes the direct election of the president. The opposition and some experts argue that a referendum should still be held. In Senegal, tensions between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Speaker of Parliament Ousmane Sonko, both younger than the other long-ruling leaders, have led to discussions about a constitutional amendment. Despite legal safeguards, the stability of these aging autocracies remains uncertain.
Written by urgent.news from DW English (Top Stories)'s reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
