Many might think that the leadership of African Kings might be subdued due to colonization. However, there are still African Monarchs who are still powerful and control the affairs of their nations.
In Africa, there are 3 countries that still practice absolute monarchy. These are Morocco, Eswatini (Swaziland), and Lesotho. Apart from these countries, there are other powerful African Kings that are discussed in the course of this article. Some of these kings have the power to make or mar the government of their countries.
Meet the Most Powerful African Kings
1. Muḥammad VI, King of Morocco
Born on August 21, 1963, Mohammad ibn al-Hasan formerly Crown Prince Sīdī Muḥammad, is a Powerful African King who belongs to the ‘Alawi Dynasty. He ascended the throne on July 23, 1999, after the death of his father, King Hassan II of Morocco.
After ascending the throne, King Mohammad introduced a number of reforms that granted women more power. He has vast business holdings across different sectors of the country. He is also considered one of the richest monarchs in Africa and the world, with a net worth of over U.S$8.2 billion.
King Mohammad brought about social reforms and liberalization, especially in the area of job creation to alleviate poverty and corruption. He also created the equity and reconciliation commission which will look into issues of human right violation.
The Monarch is regarded as the seventh most influential Muslim in the world by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre in 2022.
2. King Mswati III of Swaziland
Ngwenuyama Mswati III Dlamini was born on April 19, 1968 in Manzini, Swaziland. He ascended the throne on 25 April 1986 at the age of 18, becoming the youngest ruling monarch in the world at that time.
King Mswati III is the last absolute monarch in Africa. This means he has the power to choose the prime minister and other top government officials, with advice from the Queen mother and the council. He is also a well-known polygamist, having married 15 wives, and having 36 children. 2 of his wives were appointed by the state.
His reign has been plagued by several controversies including human rights violations. He was accused of torture and using excessive force to control the masses as well as blatant discrimination against dissenting groups. Mswati III was also accused of kidnapping women he is interested in getting married to.
According to Forbes, King Mswati has an estimated net worth of at least $50 million, based on the $50 million annual salary he receives from the government. He owns stakes in different companies within and outside Swaziland.
3. King Letsie III of Lesotho
Born Seeiso Bereng, King Letsie III was born on July 17, 1963, in Scott Hospital, Morija, Lesotho. He ascended the throne on February 9, 1996, after his father, Moshoeshoe II died in a car crash in the same year.
In 2000, King Letsie III declared HIV/AIDS to be a natural disaster in Lesotho, prompting an immediate international response to curb the epidemic.
King Letsie III is married to Queen Karabo Motsoeneng, with who he has three children. As a devoted Catholic, he is a member of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George.
Other Powerful African Kings
1. Sultan Muhammadu Sa’adu Abubakar III of Sokoto
Muhammadu Sa’adu Abubakar was born on August 24, 1956 in Sokoto, Nigeria. He ascended to the throne on November 2, 2006, after his predecessor, Muhammadu Maccido, died in a plane crash.
Before he ascended the throne, he was serving in the Nigerian Military and retired as a Brigadier-General. While in the military, he served as a defense attaché to Pakistan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Afghanistan.
The African King is the spiritual leader of Nigeria’s 98.7 million Muslims. While the title of the Sultan is ceremonial, it is a central figure for Muslims in Nigeria. Muhammad Sa’adu Abubakar is the 20th Sultan of Sokoto, a seat founded by his forefather, Usman Dan Fodio.
2. King Otumfuo Osei Tutu II of Ashanti
Nana Barima Kwaku Duah, one of the African Kings, was born on May 6, 1950, and is the 16th Asantehene. He ascended the throne on April 26, 1999. Osei Tutu II is the direct descendant of the Ashanti Empire, Otumfuo Osei Tutu I.
Due to Ashanti’s wealth, King Otumfuo Osei Tutu II is considered to be one of the richest monarchs in Africa with an estimated net worth of $14 million. He set up Transpomech Ghana in 1989, a $12 million sales company that supplies mining equipment to large industries in Ghana.
King Otumfuo Osei Tutu II is one of the African Kings who is into different businesses. He is into real estate in Ghana and South Africa and has a collection of valuable gold crown jewels. The monarch is married to Julia Osei Tutu and they have 7 children.
3. Ojaja II, Ooni of Ife
One of the African Kings, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi was born on October 17, 1974, in Ibadan, Oyo State. He is a descendant of Oduduwa, the sovereign god of the Yoruba people. The Ooni ascended the throne on October 26, 2015, after the death of his predecessor, Oba Okunade Sijuwade.
He broke the jinx of institutionalized discord between Oyo and Ile Ife, by meeting the Alaafin of Oyo. The Oba is an advocate for women and youth empowerment. He has also transformed Ife into a tourist zone and is also known for his philanthropy.
The Ooni is revered as a god, Men do not stand in his presence and women fall to their knees. His wives are not permitted to look him in the eyes when speaking to him.
It is unacceptable for an Ooni to have only one wife because it is believed that the wife can get very powerful, and try to contest the throne with him. The monarch has been married quite a number of times and has 4 children.
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4. Kabaka Mutebi II of Buganda, Uganda
Ronald Edward Frederick Kimera Muwenda Mutebi II was born on April 13, 1955, in Kampala. He was crowned on July 31, 1993, after the death of his father, Mutesa II of Buganda, who also served as the first President of Uganda. He is the 36th Kabaka of Buganda.
The Kabaka vests most of the administration of the kingdom in the Katikkiro and the Lukiiko. His territory consists of all 18 counties of the Kingdom of Buganda, and he mandates the clan heads to ensure that all norms and traditions of Buganda are observed and adhered to.
He is married to Queen Consort, Sylvia Nagginda, of the Musu clan and they have a daughter together. However, he has other children with different women.
Kabaka Mutebi II was appointed as UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador for Ending AIDS among men in Eastern and Southern Africa, with a special focus on Buganda.
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