Africa’s Youngest Presidents

Africa’s Oldest and Youngest Presidents!

Leadership in the African context has been regarded as a task for the elderly. They presumably have wisdom and experience that the younger generation may not have. However, certain young leaders across the continent prove that this task is not the sole responsibility of the older generation. As the elections of Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria looms ahead Jovago.com  decided to show some of Africa’s interesting youngest presidents in power.

Kabila and the Democratic Republic of Congo

After the death of his father, Joseph Kabila took over power at the age of 29 in 2001 after which has has been re-elected. He played a key role in ending the country’s civil war by negotiating peace agreements with rebel forces which resulted in the signing of the Sun City agreement in 2002 that signified the end of the 2nd Congo War. In 2006,  he won the country’s first democratic elections in more than 4 decades. The next election is slated for November 2016.

Ghana’s Mahama

After the death of John Evans Atta Mills in 2012 John Mahama ascended to the Office of President having previously served as the Vice President. Born in 1958, his leadership has been remarkable and he is seen as “a gift to the Ghanaian nation”, he is also the president of ECOWAS. He was the first leader to travel to regions affected by the ebola virus in the bid to stem the isolation and stigmatisation of these nations.

Macky Sall in Senegal

Macky Sall won presidential elections in March 2012 aged 51 replacing President Abdoulaye Wade who planned on running for a third-term. Born in 1961, he had previously served as prime minister and speaker of parliament under the previous government. He is seen as a pacesetter of some sorts, he plans on reducing presidential term from 7 to 5 years.

Swaziland’s Makhosetive Mswati III

Born in 1968,  he was crowned Mswati III and  King of Swaziland in 1986 at the age of 18. This made him the youngest ruling monarch at the time in the world. He known for his practice of polygamy and has about 15 wives, the most recent was a 19 year old virgin! His lifestyle has caused a number of domestic protests within the region. His father had over 100 wives!