The transition from one African leader to another is often associated with uncertainty and even peril. That’s when there’s any transition at all, given the lack of term limits – or the failure to observe them. Thankfully, this isn’t true of all countries. Not all African leaders fall for the easy temptation of prolonging their terms of office.

These recently published articles add different strokes to the variegated African political canvas.

Following the sudden death of Tanzanian president John Magufuli, the East African nation of 60 million people witnessed a smooth transfer of power to vice-president Samia Suluhu Hassan. She became the country’s sixth president and is currently the only woman running a country on the continent. Nicodemus Minde assesses her leadership style and what she brings to the job.

In West Africa, Niger’s president Mahamadou Issoufou is overseeing the first democratic transition between elected leaders since independence from France more than 60 years ago. This was the main reason he was awarded the Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership. But was this deserved? Sebastian Elischer explains why he has reservations.

Then there are those who have been around for some time. Take Chad’s Idriss Déby Itno, who has been in power for 30 years and is gearing up to take on his sixth mandate as head of state. Helga Dickow sets out what resistance to his regime, shown passionately during the latest election cycle, means for him.

An even longer-serving leader, Paul Biya of Cameroon, marks 38 years in power this year. Julius A. Amin explains why Biya’s long rule has robbed the once tranquil nation of its credibility as a stable and peaceful country.

And, finally obituaries of two controversial leaders: Adrien Ratsimbaharison assesses the legacy of Madagascar’s Didier Ratsiraka while Aikande Clement Kwayu looks back at the life of Tanzania's John Magufuli.

Julius Maina

Regional Editor East Africa

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan inspects a military parade following her swearing-in as the country’s first female president on March 19, 2021 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. AFP via Getty Images

Tanzania’s Samia Hassan has the chance to heal a polarised nation

Nicodemus Minde, United States International University

She has been described as compassionate, rational and calm – attributes that are a far departure from her former boss.

Niger President Mahamadou Issoufou. Ludovic MARIN/POOL /AFP

Why it’s a big surprise that the African leadership prize went to Niger’s Issoufou

Sebastian Elischer, University of Florida

Issoufou has failed to strengthen fundamental democratic rights. If anything, the Issoufou era is a textbook case of democratic backsliding.

How a popular movement could threaten Idriss Déby Itno’s 30 years in power

Helga Dickow, University of Freiburg

The resistance during this election cycle is even more passionate than in recent years.

Cameroon’s Biya is Africa’s oldest president: assessing his 38 years in power

Julius A. Amin, University of Dayton

Biya’s long rule has robbed Cameroon of its credibility as a stable and peaceful country.

Didier Ratsiraka: the legacy of Madagascar’s “Red Admiral”

Adrien Ratsimbaharison, Benedict College

Ratsiraka was a national hero and great patriot for some, for others a ruthless dictator.

Tanzania’s John Magufuli: a brilliant start but an ignominious end

Aikande Clement Kwayu, University of Wisconsin-Madison

He came into office with a reputation for making broken systems work, but as he began his second presidential term John Magufuli became known as a ruthless and ambitious authoritarian.

 

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