AFRICA - The exchange of power among most African states is stained with blood. Once a leader comes into power, it becomes difficult to let go of the seat. Political leadership is attached to the amassing of wealth through every means possible. The vice has seen leaders cling on to power longer than the constitutionally defined limits. The result of this is the bloodshed that follows each election period. Three African heads of states have been in power for over three decades. They seek to rule by all means alienating their countries from the world. For decades, these countries have suffered from corruption, killings, the rigging of the election, and unlawful constitutional amendments. Political opponents and other critics are intimidated, jailed, and killed.

Ugandan Anti-Corruption Sign, Photo by Future Atlas

President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda

Yoweri Museveni of Uganda has led the country since 1986. The Aljazeera refers to him as "the five-time elected dictator." The Ugandan president faces silent accusations of robbing the citizens of the freedom of speech and the adverse infliction of human rights through extrajudicial killings. The president has also appointed his wife to a cabinet seat, and his son is his special advisor. The age limit for presidential leadership in Uganda is 75 years, and some sources speculate that he will try to alter the constitution to allow him a 6th term. If this doesn't work out, he will have his son run for the presidency after he retires.

President Paul Biya of Cameroon

Cameroonian President Paul Biya has led the country since 1982. His leadership saw the change of presidential term limits in 2008 to create a leeway for him to run for another term during the 2011 elections. The constitutional amendments saw more than 40 people lose their lives in anti-protests. The 87-year-old president is suffering from poor health, which has affected the execution of his duties. He hardly makes public appearances and can go for months (longest term- two years) without holding a cabinet meeting with his critics, terming him the "absentee president." Only death can rob him of the throne. In Cameroon, Elections are overseen by a body appointed by the head of state. The country still faces problems of unemployment, with a quarter of the population under 25years. Terrorism and internal conflicts are also a significant challenge, with 160,000 people fleeing to neighboring Nigeria. There is an evident conflict between French and English speakers in the country. English speakers threaten to detach from the state, which seems to overlook their rights. President Biya remains unmoved by the pressure from locals and the international community as he still aspires to run for the 7th term.

Teodoro Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea

President Teodoro Obiang has sat as the president of Equatorial Guinea since 1979, making him the longest-serving president in the world. He attained power after overthrowing his uncle Francisco Macias Nguema from office in a military coup. The ex-soldier had his uncle executed by a firing squad for abuse of office. President Teodoro appointed his son and likely successor as his Vice president. He is, among others, accused of robbing their states of wealth to acquire luxurious homes and properties in France in a scandal dubbed the "ill-gotten gains." The United States has been fighting with the president's son over illegally acquired property worth $71million. The property is said to have been born of stolen from the oil-rich state. Though the country's constitution allows for multiple parties, it remains virtually a single party. Mr. Obiangs political party, "Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea," is the state's dominant party. Opposition stands no chance during elections, and looking into the future, with his son in line, the dynasty of Nguema's is likely to rule the country for decades.

Democracy is still novel in most African states. The civil society and regional blocks have been at the forefront in the fight for human rights and democracy. The trends are changing in some countries where long-serving leaders are accepting defeat and stepping down. Jose Eduardo dos Santos, the former head of Angola's state, stepped down in 2017 following defeat after 38 years in office. A military coup also overthrew Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe in 2017 after 37years of the presidency. Poor leadership, majorly resulting from lack of democracy, has been the major contributor to poverty among African states.