African Presidents that were killed or overthrown by their relatives and friends

Sudan’s former President Jafaar an-Nimiery, who ruled from 1969 to 1985 was strong enough to survive 22 coup attempts in 15 years.

The 23rd and successful attempt was plotted by his closest friend and Defense Minister at the time, Gen. Abdel Rahman Swar al-Dahab, who successfully overthrew him on April 6, 1985.

Jafaar An-Nimiery

The World’s former Youngest President, Valentine Strasser, who became Sierra Leone’s President in 1992 at the young age of 25, but was ousted by his Deputy Head of State, Julius Maada Bio in 1996 for neglecting soldiers in the country and insecurity. He eventually handed over to a civilian 2 months later.

Valentine Strasser

Equatorial Guinea’s first President Francisco Nguema murdered 400,000 Guineans in cold blood including his own relatives. He claimed he was the only god. He was eventually overthrown and executed by his nephew, President Teodoro Obiang Mbasogo, who has been the President of the country since 1979.

Francisco Nguema

Rwanda’s first President, Grégoire Kayibanda and his wife were starved to death by his closest friend and Defense Minister, Juvénal Habyarimana, who overthrew him on July 5, 1973. They were kept in a secret location.

Habyarimana himself was later assassinated in a plane attack in 1994.

Grégoire Kayibanda

Laurent-Désiré Kabila, former President of DR Congo from 1997 to 2001, was assasinated by his personal bodyguard, Rachidi on January 16, 2001.

Laurent-Désiré Kabila

Thomas Sankara was Burkina Faso’s President from 1983 – 1987. As a President, he refused aid, increased the literacy rate by 60% via Free Education, banned forced marriage and FGM. Vaccinated 2.5 million kids, but his best friend, Blaise Compaore murdered him, buried him quietly and ruled for 27 years.

It takes a very short time for good leadership to impact positively on a whole population, Thomas Sankara’s reign was short but very productive.

Thomas Sankara

Patrice Lumumba, DR Congo’s first Prime Minister was executed by his own Secretary of State, Mobutu Sese Seko.

Patrice Lumumba

President Kasa-Vubu watched and did nothing. This led to a Civil War. Kasa-Vubu made Mobutu a Lieutenant General for winning the war in 1965. Mobutu overthrew him 6 days later.

Patrice was captured by Mobutu and handed over to Moise Tshombe, Katanga president, who carried out the killing.