Choose the Worst Dictator!It’s time to play “Africa’s Worst Dictator”!Number your paper 1-12 and rank these

African Dictators in order of crueltyWrite their name and country#1 is the worstAnswer the 2 summary questions at the end

1. Mengistu Haile Mariam (1937 - )EthiopiaKnow as “The Red Terror” for his links with

the USSR.Executed 1.5 million of his own people in 4

years. (Top ten genocides of the century)

Stole international food aid during Ethiopia’s famine.

Ousted in 1991 and fled to Zimbabwe.

2. Omar Al-bashir (1947 – )SudanSeized power by military coup in 1989 over

the democracy.1 million people killed in Sudanese Civil War.9 million have fled the country or been place

in “internal exile”Dissolved Sudan’s parliament, banned

political parties, closed down all independent media.

Imposed strict Islamic Law (Shariah) and brutally repressed non-Muslims.

3. Idi Amin Dada (1925 - )UgandaPresident from 1971-1979A former boxer, rose through the ranks of the Army. Seized

power through military coup.Reigned with brutal torture and violence. Bodies were

found with genitals, noses, livers, and eyes missing.Prison camps were filled with common citizens and

prisoners were forced to kill each other.300,000 people were killed under Amin, with 60,000

Kenyans being expelled from the country.1976 – declared himself president for life.Heavy Military – soldiers held government positions Invaded Tanzania in 1978, but was defeatedHas been called “Africa’s Adolph Hitler”

4. Charles Taylor (1931 - )LiberiaElected as president in 1997Has been accused of using rape, mutilation,

and torture as instruments of terrorIs accused of using civilians as slave laborPersonal wealth is greater than Liberia’s

Gross National ProductGained wealth by looting Liberia’s natural

resources: gold, diamonds, rubber, and timber

Supports rebels in Sierra Leone by smuggling illegal diamonds

5. Robert Mugabe (1924 - ) ZimbabweIn 1980 became first president after

independence from BritainBecame more dictatorial and lost

popularityPhysically removed white farmers from

their land in “land redistribution program”Any opposition to Mugabe’s regime is not

toleratedAccused of stashing large amounts of

money in foreign bank accounts

6. Issayas Afeworki (1945 - ) EritreaBecame president in 1991 with independence

from EthiopiaHis party split and brutally repressed

opponentsShut down all of Eritrea’s free media and

arrested high-ranked officials of his own government

Cracked down on young dissidents at Eritrea’s only university

Over 2000 university students were sent to “community work camps”

The student union leader “disappeared”

7. Siad Barre (1919-1995)SomaliaSeized power in 1969 military coup Divided up Somalia’s clans against each otherAccused of killing thousands of innocent civilians

and their livestock and poisoning their water supplies

Estimated that 50,000 to 60,000 people were killed between 1988-1990

Overthrown in 1991 and fled to Nigeria

8. Muammar Al-Gaddafi (1942 -) LibyaOverthrew monarchy in 1969 coup‘Anti-western’ attitudes have brought conflict

with U.S.Accused of being associated with terrorist

organizationsControls all media in Libya and criticism is not

toleratedOrdered assassination of Libyan dissidents in the

1980’sPolitical trials are held in private and offenders

regularly torturedBelieved to be more moderate in recent times

9. Laurent Kabila (1939-2001) Democratic Republic of Congo\Overthrew Joseph Mobutu in 1997 to

become president3.3 million people were killed under his

ruleRemoved officials from different tribes

than his ownSent political opponents into exileShot by his own bodyguard in 2001

10. Hissene Habre ChadPresident from 1982 until 1990Widespread genocide against ethnic minorities

during his rulePersonal secret police believed to have

assassinated tens of thousands of political opponents

Systematic use of torture was common practiceCurrently in exile in Senegal Facing charges of crimes against humanity in

Belgium

11. Jean-Bedel Bokassa (1921-1996) Central African RepublicBecame president from 1966 until 1979 in a military coupHelped establish the new army of independent C.A.R.Abolished the country’s constitution and declared himself

president for lifeAdopted the title of ‘emperor’ after a $30 million coronation

ceremonyMade himself rich while brutally exploited his peoplePersonally involved in torture, executions, and even cannibalismOusted by a French-backed coup in 1979Returned in 1986, but was arrested, convicted and sentenced to

death for crimes against humanityHis sentence was changed to life in prison, but was released in

1993Had 17 wives and 50 childrenDied of a heart attack in 1996

12. Sekou Toure (1922-1984) GuineaBecame first president after

independence in 1958Brought poverty and slavery to GuineaEstablished ‘death camps’ in the 1960’s

that lasted 20 yearsTortured and executed many of Guinea’s

elite classOne million Guineans fled the country for

political and economic reasonsDied during surgery in the U.S. in 1984

Who’s your #1?Add up the votes for each dictator to find

out… Africa’s Worst Dictator!

http://abesha.wordpress.com/2008/01/31/top-12-africas-worst-dictators/

SummaryWhy have there been so many dictators in

Africa?What impact have corrupt leaders had on

African countries?