Portraits of 5 African Dictators

(Baonghean.vn) - Africa is the continent with the most dictators in the world, but their lives always end tragically.

1. Former President of Liberia Charles Taylor

Former Liberian President Charles Taylor, who held power from 1997 to 2003, was once dubbed “Charles the Executioner” for his bloody massacres. During his presidency, Taylor was accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity for his role in the Sierra Leone civil war. In 2003, Charles Taylor was forced to resign and went into exile in Nigeria. Charles Taylor was found guilty on April 26, 2012, on all 11 counts. Photo: AP.

2. Former Ugandan President Idi Amin Dada

Idi Amin Dada was the third President of Uganda from 1971 to 1979. Former President Idi Amin Dada is considered the most bloodthirsty tyrant in post-colonial African history. During his time in power, this dictator committed political repression, human rights abuses and executions of other ethnic groups. According to human rights organizations, an estimated 100,000 to 500,000 people were killed under Amin's regime. In 1979, Amin was overthrown and died of kidney disease in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in 2003. Photo: Biography.

3. Former President of Chad Hissène Habré

Hissène Habré, born in 1942, was the leader of Chad from 1982 until he was overthrown in 1990. Hissène Habré once held the power of life and death in Chad. Many people were tortured and murdered under his rule. In May 2016, Hissène Habré was convicted of human rights violations, including rape, sexual slavery, and ordering the deaths of 40,000 people. He is currently serving a life sentence. Photo: Senego.

4. Former Libyan President Muammar al-Gaddafi

Colonel Muammar al-Gaddafi seized control of the Libyan government in 1969 in a “bloodless coup” and ruled the country as an African dictator for 42 years. During his years in power, leader Muammar al-Gaddafi denounced international relations with the West and broke off diplomatic relations with many countries. Colonel Gaddfi turned Libya into a “paradise” for anti-Western extremists. He was officially overthrown in August 2011 after an uprising and died tragically while on the run near the city of Sirte. Photo: The Telegraph.

5. Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe

President Robert Mugabe is the record holder in Zimbabwe. He was once praised by many Africans as a hero fighting for national liberation. However, Robert Mugabe is considered by the West as a dictator willing to use violence to consolidate and maintain power. It is known that during his leadership, Zimbabwe was one of the poorest countries in the world with a record high inflation rate of up to 500% in 2008, the highest AIDS rate in Africa and the lowest life expectancy in the world. On November 14, 2017, the Zimbabwean Army took control of the capital Harare and placed President Mugabe under house arrest. The 93-year-old leader is at risk of resigning, ending his record 37-year rule. Photo: CNN

Peace

(Synthetic)