Daniel Arap Moi of Kenya >
A deeply corrupt leader, a man who took bribes and amassed a huge personal fortune, Moi was accused by Amnesty International of condoning major human rights abuses. He exploited inter-tribal fears and was accused of electoral violence and fraud. For years western governments turned a blind eye to the actions of a regime they saw as strategically important but they finally recognised him as a despot.
A deeply corrupt leader, a man who took bribes and amassed a huge personal fortune, Moi was accused by Amnesty International of condoning major human rights abuses. He exploited inter-tribal fears and was accused of electoral violence and fraud. For years western governments turned a blind eye to the actions of a regime they saw as strategically important but they finally recognised him as a despot.
< Emperor Jean-Bedel Bokassa of the Central African Republic
Remembered for his coronation which, at $20 million, consumed one third of the CAR's annual budget. During the imperial banquet, he turned to the French Minister and asked how he'd enjoyed his fist meal of human flesh. His repression of his people was ruthless. Even children, striking because of the cost of school uniform, were rounded up and beaten to death.
Remembered for his coronation which, at $20 million, consumed one third of the CAR's annual budget. During the imperial banquet, he turned to the French Minister and asked how he'd enjoyed his fist meal of human flesh. His repression of his people was ruthless. Even children, striking because of the cost of school uniform, were rounded up and beaten to death.
Dictators
Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe
After masterminding a brilliantly successful guerrilla campaign against the racist regime of Ian Smith, Mugabe slid into megalomania and self-agrandisement. Responsible for the slaughter of 20,000 Matabele in 1982-84, his regime became increasingly violent and repressive as his country suffered 5 sextillion percent inflation, a collapse of its trade and infrastructure, and international ostracism.
After masterminding a brilliantly successful guerrilla campaign against the racist regime of Ian Smith, Mugabe slid into megalomania and self-agrandisement. Responsible for the slaughter of 20,000 Matabele in 1982-84, his regime became increasingly violent and repressive as his country suffered 5 sextillion percent inflation, a collapse of its trade and infrastructure, and international ostracism.
Charles Taylor of Liberia
Came to power in 1997 after a period of ethnic conflict in which tens of thousands died. This internecine warfare continued throughout his time, while he amassed a huge personal fortune. He is accused of exchanging arms for 'blood diamonds' in a campaign to destabilise neighbouring Sierra Leone's regime which led to a bloody civil war in that country. Charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity, Taylor went into exile in Nigeria. He is now on trial before the International Criminal Court at The Hague.
Came to power in 1997 after a period of ethnic conflict in which tens of thousands died. This internecine warfare continued throughout his time, while he amassed a huge personal fortune. He is accused of exchanging arms for 'blood diamonds' in a campaign to destabilise neighbouring Sierra Leone's regime which led to a bloody civil war in that country. Charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity, Taylor went into exile in Nigeria. He is now on trial before the International Criminal Court at The Hague.
< Idi Amin of Uganda
An uneducated sergeant in the army, Amin came to power through a coup in 1971. Under a regime of barbaric torture, violence and repression, as many as 300,000 people may have died. Following an abortive invasion of Tanzania, Tanzanian troops overthrew his regime and he went into exile in Saudi Arabia with an estimated $250 million in his pocket.
An uneducated sergeant in the army, Amin came to power through a coup in 1971. Under a regime of barbaric torture, violence and repression, as many as 300,000 people may have died. Following an abortive invasion of Tanzania, Tanzanian troops overthrew his regime and he went into exile in Saudi Arabia with an estimated $250 million in his pocket.
< Menghistu Haile Mariam of Ethiopia
Overthrew Emperor Haile Selassie in a coup in 1974. A Marxist, he unleashed a 'red terror' which resulted in some 1.5 million deaths: western observes described hundreds of children's bodies in the streets. Largely responsible for the famine which spawned Live Aid, he oversaw the economic collapse of his country. Forced out by a guerrilla army, he took refuge with Mugabe in Zimbabwe.
Overthrew Emperor Haile Selassie in a coup in 1974. A Marxist, he unleashed a 'red terror' which resulted in some 1.5 million deaths: western observes described hundreds of children's bodies in the streets. Largely responsible for the famine which spawned Live Aid, he oversaw the economic collapse of his country. Forced out by a guerrilla army, he took refuge with Mugabe in Zimbabwe.
Mobutu of Zaire
Mobutu ruled Zaire for 32 years from 1965, during which he amassed a fortune of over $5 billion and oversaw the ruin of his country. He encouraged a personality cult, filled the top posts in government with his own, often incompetent, tribal supporters, and built a huge palace from which he commuted to Europe in Concorde. The Congo has never recovered from his rule.
Mobutu ruled Zaire for 32 years from 1965, during which he amassed a fortune of over $5 billion and oversaw the ruin of his country. He encouraged a personality cult, filled the top posts in government with his own, often incompetent, tribal supporters, and built a huge palace from which he commuted to Europe in Concorde. The Congo has never recovered from his rule.
Omar Al Bashir of Sudan
Seized power in a coup against a democratically elected government in 1989, since when Amnesty International estimate that he has been responsible for the deaths of over 1 million people and the displacement of another 9 million. Best know for his actions in Darfur, he has also conducted a continuing battle with non-Muslim elements in southern Sudan.
Seized power in a coup against a democratically elected government in 1989, since when Amnesty International estimate that he has been responsible for the deaths of over 1 million people and the displacement of another 9 million. Best know for his actions in Darfur, he has also conducted a continuing battle with non-Muslim elements in southern Sudan.
< Sani Abacha of Nigeria
Abacha seized power in Nigeria in a coup in 1993. A purge of his opponents resulted in Nigeria being suspended from the Commonwaealth. He died suddenly in 1998, reportedly in the presence of three prostitutes. He amassed a fortune of $3 billion, pillaged from the country's treasury, much of it later successfully retrieved from his family.
Abacha seized power in Nigeria in a coup in 1993. A purge of his opponents resulted in Nigeria being suspended from the Commonwaealth. He died suddenly in 1998, reportedly in the presence of three prostitutes. He amassed a fortune of $3 billion, pillaged from the country's treasury, much of it later successfully retrieved from his family.
PHOTOS courtesy of - Robert Mugabe: Pan-African News Wire; Jean-Bedel Bokassa: (CC); Daniel Arap Moi: Eric Draper WikiMedia; Charles Taylor: (CC);Idi Amin (CC); Menghistu Heile Mariam: (CC); Joseph Desire Mobutu: (CC); Omar Al Bashir: Ammar Abd Rabbo; Sani Abacha: (CC); Teodoro Obiang Ngwema: Rodriguez Pozzebom A/Br.
Teodoro Obiang Ngwema
Dictator of Equitoriam Guinea infamous for his reputed enjoyment of eating his opponent's testicles. Educated in the UK and US, he came to power in 1979 in a bloody coup which overhrew his uncle, a man far bloodier even than he. Since then, Equatorial Guinea has discovered oil which has made Ngwema, but not his people, rich. Came to notice following a coup attempt in which Mark Thatcher was implicated.
Dictator of Equitoriam Guinea infamous for his reputed enjoyment of eating his opponent's testicles. Educated in the UK and US, he came to power in 1979 in a bloody coup which overhrew his uncle, a man far bloodier even than he. Since then, Equatorial Guinea has discovered oil which has made Ngwema, but not his people, rich. Came to notice following a coup attempt in which Mark Thatcher was implicated.
