While some fought successfully and founded nations like Haiti or lost their lives and left legacies like the town of Yanga and San Basilio de Palenque, here are all the fascinating details to know about these great warriors.

Iconic African Warriors That Fought Slavery

1. Gaspar Yanga (1545-1618)

Also known as the First Liberator of the Americas, Yanga was born in Gabon and later sold into slavery in Mexico. Having started his life in a royal family among the Bran people of Gabon, his capture in Mexico only increased his determination for freedom.

It is unclear when he was captured into slavery, however, reports have it that he was about 25 years old in 1570 when he fled from his enslaver. Together with other fleeing slaves, they formed a maroon colony named San Lorenzo de los Negros in the highlands. This type of settlement made of running or former slaves was also called palenque. From this location, Yanga led a series of attacks on nearby plantations and caravans around Vera Cruz for the survival of the Palenque.

Eventually, his community and the Spanish authorities started having clashes. However, they escaped capture by the government for over forty years. It was not till 1618 that the Spaniards finally signed a treaty that would settle the hostility with Yanga’s maroon colony. While the agreement allowed him to build a free community, the settlement continued to pay taxes to the Spanish crown. His resistance against slavery led to the establishment of San Lorenzo de Los Negros de Cerravo in 1630.

Today, the town’s name has changed to Yanga after the former slave who fought and won against a brutal institution. The Mexican government honored him with the title of the national hero of Mexico in 1871 while the town was named a UNESCO world heritage site. He is also the inspiration behind Snoop Dogg’s 2020 song Gaspar Yanga.

2. Benkos Biohó 

The town of San Basilio de Palenque may still be standing as the first free African town in the Americas, yet, behind this is a shocking history of slave revolt. Its hero, Benkos Biohó was a Mandinka man who started life in a Guinea Bissau royal family. However, his life’s course took a different direction when he was captured and sold into slavery by the slave trader, Pedro Gomes Reinel.

While in captivity in the Americas, Biohó escaped captivity severally. His last escape was into the marshy lands north of Cartagena in 1599. The success strengthened his organization into one of the largest armies in the Montes de Maria region. Through this army, he was able to set other enslaved people free as well as assist fleeing slaves. He also started addressing himself as king, a matter that was not taken lightly by the government.

Notably, his activities led to clashes with the Colombian government. They finally signed a peace treaty in 1612. This peace lasted till 1619 when the Spaniards captured Benko. The South American emancipator was later hung in 1621.

3. Zumbi dos Palmares (1655-1695)

This Brazilian warrior remains a powerful symbol of resistance to slavery. His descent is traced to Kongo nobility through his mother, Sabina. He was born into slavery in 1655 in Palmares. When he was six years old, he was given to the missionary, Father Antonio Melo.

By the time he turned 15 in 1670, Zumbi who was baptized Francisco escaped and returned to Palmares. The years following this saw him rise to become a leader of the maroon community of Palmares. Notably, he possessed military prowess and the martial arts skill of Capoeira. He used this in defending Palmeres against the Portuguese authority.

After a series of clashes, the Portuguese were forced to settle with him but he rejected their offers because other slaves outside of Palmares had to be freed. He fought the government for 15 years before they finally captured and killed him in 1695.

Zumbi is considered one of the greatest warriors in Afro-Brazilian folklore. Many believed he was a demigod who was controlled by African spirits.

4. Queen Nanny 1685-1750

She was a leader of the Jamaican maroon community that fought the British to regain their freedom. Also known as Granny Nanny, her story started in the West African country of Ghana where she was born in c.1685. However, she was captured and sold into slavery, a journey that would lead her to Jamaica.

While in captivity, she escaped and joined other fleeing slaves in the Blue Mountain range. Over time, she gained experience as a fighter. Thanks to this military skills and leadership ability, she trained others in guerilla warfare that would free more than 800 slaves.

As a result of the fierce resistance put up by the maroons, the British were forced to sign a peace treaty with them in 1740.

Queen Nanny’s role in fighting slavery has led to her recognition as Right Excellent by the Jamaican government. You will also find her on the Jamaican $500 bill.

5. Elizabeth Freeman c.1744-1781

Unlike most enslaved people who took up arms to fight for freedom, Elizabeth fought through the Massachusetts court to gain freedom. She was born Beth in Massachusetts but was given to her master’s daughter, Hannah Ashley when she was six years old. Beth was the first to file and win a lawsuit for freedom in Massachusetts.

There are accounts of how she came to know about the freedom contained in the Sheffield Declaration. Many believe that she overheard her master, Hannah’s husband discussing the issue with others.

After hearing of the freedom and equality contained in it, she hired a lawyer, Theodore Sedgewick. The pro-abolition lawyer filed a lawsuit on her behalf. The lawsuit led to their freedom and an award of 30 shillings to cover the cost of the trial. This landmark victory in 1781 set a precedent for other cases.

6. Toussaint Louverture 1743-1803

He is also known as the father of Haiti. To understand how he earned such an accolade, it goes back to his being a former slave who became a great warrior against slavery. He was born into slavery to a West African man from Dahomey named Hypolite and his wife, Pauline.

Toussant drew attention to himself as an influential person through his leadership in the Haitian revolution. He joined the slave rebellion in 1791 during which time he trained other negro people in the army. However, he was not impressed with the organization of the leadership of the rebellion leading him to train his own guerilla fighters.

The rebellion put a spotlight on him and added to his influence. This would prove vital when he started playing both the Spanish and French governments during the 1793 war between the two powers. He later chose the French side after they abolished slavery and became governor-general of the Island in 1796.

The military strategist used his new position to continue fighting for other enslaved people. However, the French soon clashed with him when he freed slaves in Santo Domingo. This move led to his capture and imprisonment by the French. Having laid the foundation for Haitian independence, he did not live to see it happen as he died in 1803. Nonetheless, the revolution continued till the former slave colony declared independence on January 1, 1804.

7. Nat Turner 1800-1831

He is one of the fiercest warriors against slavery among people of African descent. Nat is said to have possessed fierceness since when he was a child. As an adult, he channeled this into fighting an institution that he was born into.

Aside from being fierce, Turner was deeply religious, and through his beliefs, he amassed a huge following. In his teachings, he encouraged his followers to take action against their enslavers. This would eventually lead to the Nat Turner rebellion of August 1831, one of the fiercest slave rebellions led by him and about 70 enslaved people.

They started by killing his master, his master’s wife, and their children before attacking other slave-holding families. In the uprising that lasted between August 21 and August 23, they killed over 50 people before he was captured and executed.

8. Carlota Lukumi

She is one of the greatest warriors who fought against slavery. Carlotta is of Yoruba descent and was sold into slavery in Matanzas, Cuba. She started planning a revolt while in captivity on a sugar plantation. One of her collaborators was another female slave named Fermina. Their plans were discovered and Fermina was beaten and imprisoned.

This did not stop the musically gifted Carlotta from continuing with the plan. Reports have it that she used the talking drum to send coded messages. Considering her African background, it is not surprising that she used this means of communication.

In 1843, she led a successful attack that freed Fermina and other enslaved people. This marked the beginning of other uprisings by the fearless warrior who went to battle using a machete. Their success against the Spanish plantations only lasted for a year before she was captured and executed alongside Fermina.

9. Bussa

He was one of the planners of the 1816 rebellion in Barbados. How he came to be a fighter in the first of three rebellions that happened in the West Indies before the abolition of slavery is quite a fascinating tale of bravery.

Bussa is said to be of Igbo descent and was born in West Africa before he was later enslaved in the West Indies.

While in captivity, Bussa worked as a ranger and this position gave him mobility that allowed him to organize the rebellion alongside other slaves from different plantations. He and other collaborators led about 400 slaves in the rebellion. The revolt started on Sunday, April 14 in St Phillip before spreading to other parts of the Island.

Bussa’s rebellion led to the declaration of martial law on April 15. Sadly, he was killed in battle while the fighting continued. Three days later, the British imperial troops quelled it. While over 100 slaves died during the rebellion, only two white people were reported to have been killed.

Today, ‘Bussa’s statue’ stands tall in the Haggart Hall in St Michael. The statue was unveiled in 1985, 169 years after he fought to free himself and other slaves. His role as a warrior against slavery has also earned him a place as a national hero of Barbados.

See Also: 10 African Slaves Who Became Legendary

10. Harriet Tubman

Her story is one of courage and bravery. She is a third-generation slave whose grandmother, Modesty was sold into slavery in Africa. Harriet Tubman experienced the trauma of slavery as she grew up under harsh conditions. Her first taste of resistance came from her mother who resisted the sale of her son. This experience of being separated from some of her children made Harriet’s mother strong-willed.

In adulthood, Tubman fought slavery for herself and others through the underground train, a set of secret safehouses that provided hiding places for fleeing slaves. Her activity on the underground train earned her the nickname of Moses after the Biblical Moses that led the Israelites out of Egypt. Tubman freed an estimated number of 70 people in 11 years. These included members of her family and other slaves from Maryland

The post 10 Greatest African Warriors That Fought Slavery appeared first on WeAfrique.

While many African countries have faced coups d’etats at different points in their existence,  Botswana is one of the few that has never experienced such. This explains why the presidents of Botswana have led the country through significant economic, social, and political transformations. Also, the country serves as a model of democracy and development in Africa. Their legacies continue to inspire people in Botswana and beyond.

Meet The Presidents of Botswana From Past to Present 

1. Seretse Khama

• Date of Birth:  1 July 1921– 13 July 1980
• Presidential Term: 30 September 1966 – 13 July 1980
• Political party: BDP

He was born Seretse Goitsebeng Maphiri Khama on July 1, 1921. Seretse Khama was the first president of the landlocked country. He assumed office on September 30, 1966, through election. Prior, Khama was elected as the first prime minister of the country in 1965, a position that no one ever held as the country changed its system of government.

He had been involved in politics during the British colonial rule in the country and was recognized as a chieftain of his people, the Bamangwato. However, his position was challenged when he married a White woman named, Ruth Williams in a time when interracial marriages were considered taboo. While many like Julius Nyerere of Tanzania described their love as one of the great love stories of the world, many more opposed it.

On the one hand, there were the tribal elders of Bechuanaland who opposed it because they expected him as a member of the royal family to marry one of their women.

On the other hand was South Africa which had introduced the racial segregation system known as apartheid. Since Britain, the colonial power in Bechuanaland was getting cheap mineral resources from South Africa, the country pushed for Khama’s banishment.

He and his wife were exiled in 1951. They were allowed to return to Bechuanaland as private citizens in 1956 after he renounced his tribal chieftaincy. Needless to say, Khama soon joined local politics and even rose to the position of secretary of the tribal council in the late 60s. In 1961, he founded the Bechuanaland Democratic Party which is now known as Botswana Democratic Party.

He was elected as the country’s first president under the party’s flag. Notably, Khama set the country on the path of development through its mining industry. Unsurprisingly,  Botswana had the fastest-growing economy in the world between 1960 and 80.  He was elected three times in 1969, 1974, and 1979 in a tenure that lasted 13 years. Sadly, he died in his sleep during his last tenure.

2. Quett Masire

• Date of Birth: 23 July 1925– 22 June 2017
• Presidential Term: 18 July 1980 – 31 March 1998
• Political Party: BDP

He started as the vice president during Khama’s tenure and assumed office shortly after his death. Quett Masire assumed office on July 13, 1980. Like his predecessor, Masire worked towards the independence struggle of his country.

He served for three terms from 1980 to 1998 making him the longest serving Botswana president. Masire retired from politics in 1998. Notably, the former president became a strong critic of the BDP claiming that the party had moved from the ideals in which it was formed.

Sadly, He died on June 29, 2017, at the age of 91.

3. Festus Mogae

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• Date of Birth:  21 August 1939
• Presidential Term: 1 April 1998 – 1 April 2008
• Political Party: BDP

He is the third president of Botswana who served two tenures that lasted between 1998 and 2008. Festus Mogae was born on August 21, 1939 in Serowe. He studied Economics in the UK and when he assumed office, he embarked on a campaign to tackle poverty and the HIV/AIDS pandemic in the country.

After his second tenure ended, Mogae left office. Needless to say, he has remained active in pursuing different courses including being a special envoy of the UN Secretary General on Climate Change. He also sits on the advisory board of TeachAids, a US nonprofit.

4. Seretse Khama Ian Khama

• Date of Birth: 27 February 1953
• Presidential Term: 1 April 2008- 1 April 2018
• Political Party: BDP

He served for two terms as the fourth president of the country. Seretse Khama Ian Khama who is also referred to as Ian Khama is the second child of the former resident, Seretse Khama. Aside from sharing a name with his father, Ian also took a career footstep in politics and reached the highest office on April 1, 2008, after Mogae stepped down making him one of few sons of former presidents to achieve this feat. Others include Gnassingbé Eyadema and Faure Eyadema of Togo, Jomo Kenyatta and Uhuru Kenyata of Kenya, and Joseph Kabila

Before this, he was trained at the military academy in Sandhurst, UK, and held positions like commander of the Botswana Defense Force. He retired from military service on March 31, 1998, and went fully into politics the following month when he became the vice president under Festus Mogae.

He eventually became president after Mogae stepped down in 2008. Though he promised continuity in policy, his government was accused of many controversies. These include the killing of John Khalifas, party manipulations, and illegal possession of firearms.

Ian served in office for two five-year tenures that lasted 10 years before leaving office in 2018. He also left the BDP which his father helped to found and joined the Botswana Patriotic Front(BPF). As mentioned earlier, he has faced some controversies including the possession of firearms and this led to the issuance of an arrest in 2022. However, he failed to appear in court leading to a 14-count charge against him

See Also: 10 Presidents That Ruled Africa Longest

5. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi

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• Date of Birth: 21 July 1962
• Presidential Term: 1 April 2018
• Political Party: BDP

Mokgweetsi Masisi is fondly called ‘Sisiboy’ as a play on his surname and he assumed office on April 1, 2018, as the fifth president of the country under the BDP. Before this, he had worked in other political offices such as the vice president. Like Ian Khama, Masisi’s father, Edison Masisi was very active in the politics of Botswana.

In the early years of his career, Masisi worked as an actor and is notable for acting in the lead role in the production of Cry the Beloved Country, based on Alan Paton’s book of the same name.  Also, he took up a teaching career and taught at the secondary school level. He served as the Chancellor of the University of Botswana during Ian Khami’s presidency.

More on his presidency, Masisi reversed some of the policies of his predecessor such as lifting the ban on elephant hunting. This and other issues made Ian Khama regret making Masisi his successor. He went as far back as calling it a mistake.

The post Every President Of Botswana Since Independence appeared first on WeAfrique.

Ranging from places like Victoria Falls, and Hwange National Park, to Great Zimbabwe, make make sure you make this country a travel destination of a lifetime.

Best Places to Visit in Zimbabwe for a Mindblowing Experience

1.  Victoria Falls

Any talk of the largest sheet of falling water in the wall would be incomplete without talking about the Victoria waterfalls named after the late British monarch. The water which is shared by Zambia and Zimbabwe has a combined width of 1,708m making it the world’s largest waterfall in the world.

The waterfall can be accessed from both countries with 75 percent of it being visible from Zimbabwe. Hence, we will concentrate on getting to it from Zimbabwe. It can be accessed through Victoria Falls town. One of the pecks of visiting Victoria Falls is that you get to visit two national parks in which the falls are found; the Mosi-Oa-Tunya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Victoria Falls National Park.

Also, it is one of the seven wonders of the natural world. Others are the Aurora Borealis, Harbor of Rio de Janeiro, Great Barrier Reef, Mount Everest, Grand Canyon, and Paricutin.

So if you are looking to visit some of the best places in this beautiful country, be sure to put Victoria Falls on your bucket list.

2. Hwange National Park

Founded in 1929, it is the largest band in the country and one of the best places to visit in Zimbabwe to see wildlife. Interestingly, before tourists started including it in the list of places to see in the country, the park was attached to the royal family of the Ndebele.

It is said that the great Ndebele warrior, King Mzilikazi used the area as a hunting ground. Thanks to the Zimbabwean government, this gem can be accessed by people around the world.

Aside from having the big 5 land animals; elephants, lions, buffalo, rhinos, and leopards, it also has over 400 bird species. Notably, the huge concentration of elephants makes it one of the most concentrated elephant sanctuaries in the world.

3. Great Zimbabwe

Located in Masvingo, this medieval African city was once the capital of the ancient kingdom of Zimbabwe and home to the Shona people till the 15th century when it was abandoned.

The site is made up of hills which are mostly seen as the religious part, the enclosure, and the walls. Of this, visitors can’t help but notice the symbolism of power and authority that the Shona had in the area. Moreso, it served as a trading connection between the area and other parts of the world such as Persia and China due to artifacts found by archaeologists.

While it was hard for Europeans and other early explorers to believe Africa had such great architecture, Great Zimbabwe is proof that indeed Africans built sophisticated architecture. It is not surprising that it was made a UNESCO site in 1986.

4. Mana Pools National Park

Probably the largest national park in the country, this UNESCO world heritage site offers visitors an opportunity to see hippopotamus, crocodiles, elephants, and many aquatic birds. The park is located along the Zambezi River in the northern part of the country.

Historically, the park holds dear memories to the Bushmen who once called it home. Evidence of their living in the area can still be found in the rock paintings left in caves within the park. Apart from this, other interesting things point to a rich history and heritage such as the Muuyu WeMurengwas Boabab tree which is found on the Sapi River within the park.

Today, the tree which is associated with the Tonga people is considered a National Treasure. If you are a history buff, visiting this park is a sure way of adding to your knowledge.

5. Nyanga National Park

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The park sits on 116, 000 acres of dense forest which house many archeological sites. Nyanga was once known as Rhodes Inyanga National Park and it is one of the oldest national parks in the country.

Due to its mountainous nature, the park is a good destination for anyone with a twitch for adventure. It offers many hiking trails, wildlife viewing, fishing, birdwatching, and immersion into archaeology or do we say into history. Animals in the park include Zebras, antelope, waterbucks, klipspringer, and kudu.

Aside from this, a lot of myths, legends, and bizarre occurrences have been associated especially in connection with Mount Nyangani. The mountain is the highest in Zimbabwe but this is not all that there is to it. It is said that there is a strangeness about the mountain which sometimes swallows people which the Manyika people say is due to a vindictive spiritual presence.

While this may discourage many from visiting the park, don’t panic, this is just a bit of warning as you would not want to miss out on all the other interesting features.

6. Lake Kariba

Aside from being the mother of all continents, some of the most beautiful sites are located in Zimbabwe. So how about visiting the largest artificial lake in the world, Lake Kariba? This beautiful gem was formed by damming the Zambezi River to generate hydroelectric power.

Like many shared treasures, Lake Kariba is shared between Zimbabwe and Zambia. The lake was constructed by Andre Coyne and it took three years before it was completed. It is a great spot for house boating and fishing.

7. Chinhoyi Caves

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Located close to Harare, the country’s capital, this tourist location is a majestic piece of nature. Also, it can serve as a romantic getaway for a couple that wants to immerse themselves without thinking about any other person in the world.

The caves which are made of dolomite and limestone also boast a crystal blue colored natural pool located in it.

8. Chiremba Balancing Rocks

These rocks are located in Epworth, Harare, and are said to represent a balance between nature and man. Though many balancing rocks can be found in different parts of the country, Chiremba Balancing Rocks are the most popular.

9. Khami Ruins

This is an archaeological ruin that holds a rich history of the area. Based on the relics, it has been proven that Khami was abandoned in the 16th century. Importantly, items from other parts of the world such as China were found there. This implies that the area was an important trading point.

Due to its cultural significance, it has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.

See Also:10 Interesting Facts About Zimbabwe 

10. Matobo National Park

Though it is the last place on this list, it does not make it the least important. On the contrary, Matobo National Park is home to granite mountains and wooded valleys. Some of the significant parts of the park are the Matobo or Matopos Hills. The hills have one of the highest concentrations of rock art in Southern Africa dating back to thousands of years.

These paintings represent the different aspects of daily living. One man who found the place a true beauty is the former colonizer Cecil Rhodes. He described it as World’s View and even added it as his final resting place in his will. Today, Rhode’s grave has become a tourist attraction in the park.

Other attractions in the park include the Maleme Dam where one can enjoy coming and canoeing.

The post 10 Best Places To Visit In Zimbabwe appeared first on WeAfrique.

Warlords like Idi Amin, Charles Taylor, and Muammar Qadhafi have been at the forefront of these known notorious leaders who have been aggressive in their dealings with their people and even outsiders. However, there are others that we would be looking at.

Here are Some of Africa’s Most Notorious Warlords

11. Bosco Ntanganda – Rwanda

This Rwandan warlord was nicknamed ‘The Terminator’ and was initially supposed to be a ‘warlord for rent’. He was conscripted to help overthrow the government led by the Hutu. Subsequently, after achieving his goal, he rose to the rank of head of the DRC military and went on to overthrow the government of Congo.

While he was in active service, Bosco was responsible for as many as 80,000 deaths and violated many human rights. When he was finally arrested and convicted, the war crimes charges against him were about 18.

On July 8, 2019, the Rwandan dictator and military head was sentenced to 30 years imprisonment by the International Criminal Court.

10. Thomas Lubanga Dyilo – Congo

Known to be the founder of the Union of Congolese Patriots, Thomas Lubanga Dyilo was the first person to be convicted by the ICC for a lot of atrocities ranging from murder, rape, ethnic massacres, and even child soldier recruits.

Thomas and the rebels who worked for him were responsible for over 60,000 deaths while his terror reign lasted. In addition to those, he was responsible for torturing and mutilating people.

He was arrested in March 2006 and his trial began on January 26, 2009, 3 years later. He was found guilty of the war crime of conscripting and enlisting children under the age of 15 as part of his atrocious activities. Thomas was to serve 30 years in prison.

in March 2020, after serving 14 years jail term, the former warlord was released from prison.

9. Joshua Blahyi – Liberia

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Popularly referred to as ‘General Butt Naked’ this military man began his military career in 1991 and throughout his few active years in service, he perpetuated a good number of atrocities. He is an evangelical preacher who is best known for the part he played during the First Liberian Civil War.

He was born on September 30, 1971, in Monrovia, Liberia, and by 1996  he converted to Christianity but this was after he led soldiers to fight on the side of the rebel group ULIMO.

Joshua is known as General Butt Naked because, in the civil war that broke out in 1989, he and his soldiers fought without clothing and in the process, carried out a lot of despicable acts which included child sacrifice and cannibalism.

Blahyi confessed to killing over 20,000 people during his reign as a warlord. He confessed to this in 2008 at the Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Commission and this got him a lot of attention. However, he had repented at this time after claiming to have received a vision from Jesus.

8. Jean Kambanda – Rwanda

Born on October 19, 1955, Jean Kambanda of Rwanda was a politician, banker, and one-time prime minister. He was born in Huye, Rwanda.

While he served as prime minister, Rwanda witnessed a genocide that began in 1994 known as the Rwandan Genocide.

He has however remained the only head of state to confess and plead guilty to genocide. This confession was retracted but the retraction did not stand in court.

Kambanda was arrested on July 18, 1997, 3 years after the genocide started, in Nairobi. He was accused of several offenses against humanity which ranged from genocide and agreement to commit genocide, to incitement, and failure to prevent the genocide.

Kambanda was sentenced to life imprisonment on September 4, 1998, and has so far served 23 years in the Koulikoro Prison located in Mali.

7. Omar Hassan Ahmed al-Bashir – Sudan

This former Sudanese military officer was the first sitting head of state to be indicted by the ICC for allegedly instigating and directing a massacre, rape, and pillage of the citizens of Darfur.

He has been accused of overseeing the war in Darfur that caused the death of over 10,000 people. His reign as president saw the displacement of over 2.5 million people from Darfur due to guerrilla warfare.

In 2008, he was accused of crimes such as genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. Subsequently, in 2009  and 2010, warrants for his arrest were put out following his alleged crimes against humanity.

During this period, he was at large and resisted arrest.

Eventually, on April 11, 2019, al-Bashir was stripped of his position in the Sudanese Armed Forces and placed on house arrest but a few days later, he was moved to the capital’s Kobar Prison.

By May 13 of the same year, Omar al-Bashir was charged with participating in and inciting the killing of protesters. In the subsequent months, he faced trials for corruption and money laundering charges.

From then to 2020, this former warlord had been tried for many other crimes he committed even before he got into power.

Following fighting between the army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, there was a prison break at the Kobar Prison where he was held. Fears that Omar could be at large again, engulfed the Sudanese people but their fears were allayed by the military. It was revealed by the army that Omar al-Bashir was transferred from the prison to the army hospital. However, they failed to provide proof of this.

6. Gnassigbe Eyadema – Togo

He was the 3rd president of Togo and was born on December 26, 1935. His reign lasted from 1967 to 2005 and he was succeeded by his son Faure Gnassingbe. He held the title of the longest-serving leader in Africa until his death in 2005.

Gnassigbe was the leader of the coup that ousted President Sylvanus Olympio who was killed during the attack. It has been speculated that Eyadema who later ruled the country of Togo till his death, was the one who killed Sylvanus.

He is part of the top warlords Africa has seen given that he remained in leadership from 1967 till his death as no one could overthrow him. Even after his death, his son was installed and continued his legacy.

5. Jean-Bedel Bokassa – Central African Republic

He served as the 2nd president of the Central African Republic and the emperor of its successor state. Jean-Bedel was born on February 22, 1921, and saw World War II and the Indonesian war.

He first tasted power after being part of the coup in 1966. Bokassa was president of the CAE for 11 years and when he became Emperor, he served for 3 years.

He was overthrown in 1979 and went into exile. However, he was tried in absentia and sentenced to death. His crimes bordered on the murder of several political rivals. Upon his return to the CAE on October 24, 1986, Jean-Bedel was arrested and tried on 14 different counts including treason, murder, cannibalism, and embezzlement.

His sentence of death was revoked two years later and then eventually reduced to 20 years. However, after the installation of a democratic government, prisoners were granted pardons and released.

On November 3, 1996, Jean-Bedel Bokassa died of a heart attack in his Bangui home. He was 75 years old at the time of his death.

4. Joseph Rao Kony – Uganda

Joesph Rao Kony is infamous for his nefarious acts as a militant who founded a Christian fundamentalist organization the UN described as a terrorist group.

He led this rebel group insisting that he and his organization were fighting for the 10 Commandments. Believing himself to be a spirit medium, Kony recruited child soldiers and told them that the sign of the cross drawn on their chest with oil would prevent bullet penetration and evil spirits.

Kony and his Lord’s Resistance Army were accused of crimes such as the killing of over 100,000 people, abduction of about 60,000 children, rape of young girls, and abducting young females as s*x slaves.

In October 2006, the ICC stated that there was an arrest warrant for 5 of the LRA members comprising Joseph, his deputy, and other commanders. He and some of his members have been on the run since then.

For over 10 years, Kony and his soldiers were on the run from several governments including that of Uganda, the United States, and even the United Nations. However, following the surrender of Dominic Ongwen who was a key member of the LRA, the movement suffered a huge blow and loss.

By 2017, they stopped posing as a threat to the government of Uganda as their soldiers had reduced drastically.

3. Charles Taylor – Liberia

This former leader of Liberia was born Charles McArthur Taylor on January 28, 1948. He is one of the top African dictators who have a reputation for large numbers of massacred people.

He was the leader of the National Patriotic Front of Liberia which was a rebel group based in Ivory Coast. Under his watch, his group killed as many as 200,000 Liberians during the Liberian Civil War which lasted for about 7 years.

In 1985, he was charged with corrupt practices in the United States of America. However, this did not prevent his continuous desire to be president of Liberia.

At the end of the civil war in 1997, Charles Taylor was made the president of Liberia after he threatened that if he wasn’t made president, he would continue the war.

Another civil war broke out in 2003 and this saw the end of his rule as the leader of the country. He then went into exile but is currently serving time at the HM Prison Frankland after he was eventually caught.

His charges all bordered on crimes against humanity especially the massacre during the civil war.

2. Muammar Qadhafi – Libya

Quadhafi was the leader of Libya from 1969 till 2011 when a civil war that emanated from a protest, forced him to relinquish his power.

While he dominated the country, he possessed chemical weapons, allegedly supported terrorists, and was involved in the bombing of a Berlin dance hall that killed 3 people and injured many.

Accusations labeled against this warlord are quite numerous and he is also responsible for Libya going to war with countries such as Chad, Tanzania, and Egypt.

Muammar was accused of the 1988 Lockerbie bombing that claimed the lives of about 270 people whose plane exploded above Scotland.

He also faced accusations of providing Viagra-like medication to his soldiers. The aim of this was for the troops to rape women. When a revolution started against him, he directed the killings of civilians in order to curb the outreach.

Under Muammar Qadhafi’s dictatorship, Libyans and the world at large lived in great fear. His possession of chemical weapons posed a threat to a lot of countries. Also, he would forever be remembered as one of the most feared dictators to ever walk the earth.

He died on October 20, 2011, and the news of his death was met with different reactions. While former US president, Obama said it meant an end to tyranny in Libya, Prime Minister David Cameron hailed it stating it was a step towards a strong and democratic future for the country.

Read Also: Muammar Gaddafi Children: Who Are They And Where Are They Today?

1. Idi Amin – Uganda

Idi Amin rose to power after seizing it in 1971 and he remained in power for about 8 years. For the period he served as the ruler of Uganda, he earned himself the title ‘The Butcher of Uganda’ because of his brutal nature and acts.

Idi was responsible for the death of over 500,000 people throughout his rulership. Another activity this warlord can be remembered for is the evacuation of the Lango and Acholi people whom he was threatened by.

For years he bragged about defeating the British Empire after they closed their embassy in Uganda following his incessant oppression. With this, he declared himself ‘His Excellency, President forever, Field Marshal Al Hadji, Doctor Idi Amin Dada, VC DSO, MC Lord of All the Beasts of the World, Fishes of the Seas, and Victor of the British Empire in Africa generally and Uganda specifically.

Idi Amin died on August 16, 2003, after being in exile and on life support. His life support was unplugged on that day when his family decided to do so.

The post Most Notorious African Warlords appeared first on WeAfrique.

From Tiffany Haddish to Daniel Kaluuya, Gugu Mbatha, and Idris Elba, there is more to find out about these people and how they have taken Hollywood by storm with their talents and hard work.

Meet The Hollywood Celebs That are Africans

20. Tiffany Haddish (Eritrea)

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The multi-award-winning comedian and actress, Tiffany Haddish has her roots in Eritrea in Eastern Africa. She was born in America on December 3, 1979, to an Eritrean father named Tsihaye Reda Haddish.

Her father moved to the United States as a refugee and later met the comedian’s mother, an African-American businesswoman.

Tiffany gained Eritrea’s citizenship in 2019. In 2018, she also honored her father and the country with an Eritrean dress to attend the Oscars.

The actress is famous for her roles in Like a Boss (2020), Girls Trip (2017), The Angry Birds Movie 2 (2019), and Easter Sunday (2022).

She is the first black African-American woman to win the Grammy Award for Best Comedy after Whoopi Goldberg in 1985.

19. Chiwetel Ejiofor (Nigerian)

Chiwetel is a 47-year-old award-winning British actor and director who was born in London to Nigerian parents of Igbo descent. He has lived most of his life in England but has visited Nigeria and has been involved in several humanitarian projects to help the country.

He is most famous for his roles in British and American films such as the Academy Awards, American Black Film Festival Awards, BET Awards, and London Film Critics’ Circles Awards. Some of his famous movies are 12 Years a Slave (2013), American Gangster (2007), Doctor Strange (2016), and The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (2019).

18. Lupita Nyongo (Kenyan)

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Lupita is an actress. She was born on 1 March 1983 in Mexico and holds a Kenyan-Mexican nationality. Her parents are Kenyan politician Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o and a businesswoman woman named Dorothy Ogada Buyu.

She rose to stardom as a Hollywood actress with films such as 12 Years a Slave (2013), Black Panther (2018), The Jungle Book (2016), and Queen of Katwe (2016). The actress became the first Kenyan-Mexican actress to win an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

17. Idris Elba (Sierra Leone and Ghana)

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Born Idrissa Akuna Elba on September 1972, the actor cum musician’s mother is Ghanaian while his father was a Sierra Leonean. His parents led their lives in Africa before they moved to the United Kingdom after they were married.

There, Elba was born and lived for many years became an actor, and later moved to the United States. His career has landed him fame and he is most remembered for his roles in Avengers, Daddy’s Little Girls, and Thor (2011).

Concerning his Sierra Leonean roots, the multi-award-winning actor was given citizenship on his first visit in 2019 and is committed to boosting the entertainment sector in Africa. He intends to create something similar to Disney in Africa.

16. Akon (Senegal)

He is a Senegalese-American musician. He was born Aliaune Damala Akon Thiam in Missouri and was partly raised in Senegal.

His career kicked off in the United States and he rose to become one of the most famous and successful singers in the country and of African descent. Some of his notable songs are Lonely, Locked Up, Smack That, and Right Now.

Akon is known for his role in helping to develop his hometown, Senegal through the construction of the $6 billion worth of Akon City which is scheduled to start in 2023 and be completed in 2026. The project will lead to a mega city in Senegal and the city will house standard schools, a hospital, a police station, and hotels among others.

The musician is also known for his Akon Lighting Africa which has aided in providing electricity to about 15 countries across Africa.

15. Djimon Hounsou (Benin)

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Djimon is a Beninese-American actor and model with a successful career that has lasted over 3 decades. He was born in Cotonou, Dahomey which is currently Benin Republic.

At the of 12, he moved to France with his brother. There, he dropped out of school and later met fashion designer Thierry Mugler who helped him become a model. He subsequently moved to the United States where he also built a career in acting.

The Gladiator actor identifies with his Beninese and African roots and also launched a program called Run Richmond 16:19 to help African descendants trace their roots.

14. Peter Mensah (Ghana)

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He is famous for his roles in Hidalgo, Spartacus, Avatar, and Tears of the Sun. Peter Mensah was born on August 27 1959 in Chiraa, Ghana, to Ghanaian parents.

He moved to England with his father and started to expose himself to mixed martial arts.

Despite his growth in England and his Hollywood career, Mensah identifies with his Ghanaian roots. He buried his father in the country in 2018.

13. Jidenna (Nigeria)

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He was born Jidenna Theodore Mobisson to a Nigerian Igbo father and a caucasian mother in Wisconsin.

The Classic Man singer grew up partly in Nigeria and the United States. His music career shows his African connection as he is being influenced by the Nigerian highlife genre which has helped in giving him a unique sound.

He is vocal about his being a Nigerian and African. He works with Birthright Africa which is committed to providing a free educational trip to Africa for young people with African ancestry. This is to help people of African ancestry connect with their roots.

12. Boris Kodjoe (Ghana)

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Boris Kodjoe is a German actor, model, and director originally from Ghana. His father was a Ghanaian while his mother is German. The actor was born in Austria and was partly raised in Germany.

His career as a model and actor brought him fame across many countries. He has been featured in many American films such as Love & Basketball (2000), Brown Sugar (2002), and Madea’s Family Reunion (2006).

Boris, like many other actors with African ancestry, identifies with the continent and even reportedly took 40 of his famous friends for Christmas in Ghana in 2019. Some famous people who went with him include Idris Elba, Naomi Campbell, and Ozwald Boateng.

11. Gugu Mbatha (South Africa)

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She was born Gugulethu Sophia Mabatha-Raw to a South African father, Patrick Mbatha, and an English mother Anne Raw. She is an acclaimed actress known majorly for her roles in English and American movies.

Some of her most notable films are Belle (2013), Free State of Jones (2016), Beauty and the Beast (2017), and Concussion (2015).

In November 2022, she revealed a visit to South Africa where she reconnected with family and also visited the grave of her late uncle. Also, she visited the first fully black-owned winery in the country.

10. Danai Gurira (Zimbabwe)

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Danai Gurira is an American actress and playwright with Zimbabwean parents and heritage.

The Black Panther and Avengers actress was born in Iowa in the United States to parents who immigrated to the United States in 1964.

For years, Danai Gurira has been part of many projects in Africa. She taught playwriting and acting in Zimbabwe, Liberia, and South Africa. More so, she speaks 4 languages, including Shona and basic Xhosa.

9. David Oyelowo (Nigeria)

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He is a British actor, director, and producer known for Who Do You Love (2008), Middle of Nowhere (2012), The Butler (2013), Selma (2014), Queen of Katwe (2016), and Gringo (2018).

He was born  David Oyetokunbo Oyelowo in Oxfordshire, England in 1976. His father is a Nigerian Yoruba while his mother is from Edo in southern Nigeria.

The actor is a Yoruba prince called Omoba as his grandfather was a king in Awe, Oyo State. David grew up in Nigeria and the UK.

The actor who also has US citizenship has contributed to different projects in Nigeria and often identifies with the country. He established scholarship funds for Nigerian girls affected by terrorist acts. He also advocates against human trafficking and works toward helping women and children across the country.

More into his contribution to Nigeria and concerning projecting the country and Africa, he is set to work towards telling the Biafra story in BBC series.

8. Rami Malek (Egypt)

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Malek is an Egyptian-American actor who became the first actor of Arab origins to win an Academy Award for Best Actor. He was born to Egyptian parents after they relocated to the US following the birth of his older sister.

The Mr. Robot and Bohemian Rhapsody actor was speaking Arabic at home until he was 4. His parents encouraged him to hold on to his Egyptian roots and despite the fame, he refuses to be identified as a first-generation or second-generation removed. Rather,  he wants to be identified as Egyptian as he grew up knowing the culture, listening to its music, and identifying with the people.

The identical twin also hopes to be in an Egyptian film as he grew up watching and enjoying movies from the country.

7. The Weeknd (Ethiopia)

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The Weeknd is most famous as a Canadian, singer, songwriter, and actor. He was born Abel Makkonen Tesfaye in Canada to Ethiopian parents.

The musician identifies with his Ethiopian heritage and learned his native language Amharic from his grandmother. He also donated 50,000 Canadian dollars to the University of Toronto to fund a new course on the classic language of Ethiopia called Ge’ez.

Again, in 2017, the Blinding Lights singer funded a new Ethiopian studies program at the University of Toronto. His love for his Ethiopian roots has extended to providing relief materials in his native country to people affected by the Tigray War in 2021.

In his career, he is most notable for his Elastic Heart, Die for You, and Save Your Tears songs; and for starring in some notable American films and documentaries, including Michael Jackson’s Journey from Motown to Off the Wall (2016) and Uncut Gems (2019).

6. Alexander Siddig (Sudan)

He is a Sudanese-English actor and director whose birth name is Siddig El Tahir El Fadil El Fadil Siddig Abdurrahman Mohammed Ahmed Abdel Karim El Mahdi. He was born in Sudan in 1965 to a Sudanese father and an English mother.

He hails from a notable Sudanese family. His uncle Sadiq al-Mahdi was a Sudanese Prime Minister while his great-grandfather was Muhammed Ahmad, a Nubian religious leader who was proclaimed the Mahdi by his disciples and a man who contributed to the beginning of modern Sudan.

The Hannibal, Game of Thrones, Star Trek, and A Lost Man actor has not been an ardent visitor to his home country and although he spoke Arabic as a toddler, he does not speak it anymore.

5. Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (Nigeria)

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He is a British actor, director, producer, writer, and model to Nigerian parents of Yoruba ethnicity in London, England.

He started his early life in England before returning to Nigeria. He then found it difficult to adapt and was later returned to the United Kingdom. He went through a difficult childhood due to racial abuse that led to his hating that he was black.

However, he later came to terms with and accepted his race. He identifies with his roots and even made a movie, Farming about the struggles of black people. The film premiered in Nigeria and cast a Nigerian top actress Genevieve Nnaji among others.

While he is focused on helping Nigeria and Africa in a variety of ways, the Delta of Venus and The Mummy Returns actor works towards infusing the Nigerian movie industry, Nollywood with Hollywood.

See Also: 25 International Celebrities That Were Born In Africa

4. Sofia Boutella (Algeria)

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Sofia Boutella is an actress, dancer, and model from Algeria and also possesses French citizenship. She is mostly known for her roles in The Mummy (2017), Star Trek Beyond (2016), and Prisoners of the Ghostland.

Sofia Boutella was born in Algeria to a jazz musician father, Safy Boutella. The actress grew up in Paris and has worked in movies and with musicians in America among other countries. Some of the most notable artists she has worked with include Madonna and Michael Jackson.

The Star Trek actress has spoken about her being proud to be an Algeria.

3. Rotimi (Nigeria)

He is an American singer and actor born Olurotimi Akinosho. He was born and raised in America and has reached stardom through his roles in Coming to America (2021), Divergent, and Power. Some of his notable songs are In My Bed, Love Somebody, and his Amapiono song Make You Say.

The singer always identifies with his Nigerian ancestry and visits the country. He also believes that Africans in the diaspora should return to the continent because it has a lot to offer.

2. Nana-Kofi Siriboe (Ghana)

He is an American actor and model born in 1994 in California. His parents are Ghanaians and his 2 brothers Kwame Boateng and Kwesi Boakye are also Hollywood actors.

The Jump, Girls Trip, and Queen Sugar actor went to Kumasi in Ghana for the first time in 2017 and has shown much interest in the things that concern his native land.

His exposure to his Ghanaian heritage started early and while he was in elementary school, he could boast that his best food was Ghanaian fufu.

1. Daniel Kaluuya (Uganda)

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Daniel Kaluuya was born in London to Ugandan parents. He was raised in Camden mainly by his mother as his father was in Uganda and couldn’t make it often to Britain due to visa regulations.

Kaluuya has played roles in Black Panther (2018), Queen & Slim (2019), and Fifteen Million Merits (2011). His acting career has led to his becoming the first black British actor to win an Oscar for ‘Best Supporting Actor’ in Judas and the Black Messiah (2021).

The post 20 Hollywood Celebs That are Africans appeared first on WeAfrique.

Is Nigeria Still the Giant of Africa?

Nigeria is still considered the giant of Africa. With over 225.2 million people, the country has the largest population and the largest economy in Africa.

More into its population, Nigeria is the seventh most populous nation in the world and the most populated Black country in the world.

There is more to why the country is called the Giant of Africa. It is known for its high-ranking state in entertainment and sports.

Here are some Fascinating Facts About Nigeria

1. There is a Conspiracy Theory that Nigeria’s 15th President may be a Body Double

In 2017, Nigeria’s 15th President, Muhammadu Buhari suffered health challenges and stayed away from the nation for months. While there were questions that kept coming up concerning his health, and whether he was alive, a major conspiracy theory struck the country and its leader.

In 2018, an activist, Nnamdi Kanu claimed that the country’s President had died and was replaced with a body double from Sudan known as Jibril el-Sudan.

Although this theory has been debunked over and time again, some world and organizational leaders sent their condolences to Nigeria.

2. Nigeria is the First Country to Ban Foreign Models and Voice-Over Artists

In 2022, Nigeria banned foreign models and voice-over artists. At the time the ban was announced, it was revealed that it would take effect on October 1, 2022.

The move would disallow foreign accents in adverts. The ban was praised by others while it was frowned upon by others. For those against the ban, they claim that there are Nigerian citizens who have lived abroad and have foreign accents.

Also, it is not uncommon that some On Air personalities have foreign accents and the ban may affect them.

3. The Country Has Produced the Smartest Family in Britain

It is a common fact that Nigerians are some of the most intelligent people in the world. Well, this common knowledge has proven itself in the fact that a Nigerian family based in Britain became famous as the smartest family in the country.

Their fame started with Professor Chris Imafidon, the chair and founder of the Education program, at Oxford, UK.

How did the family become so smart? Prof. Chris Imafidon grew up autistic but he later became an educationist and raised his children to become geniuses through a special teaching method.

His twin children, Peter and Paula Imafidon are nicknamed “The Wonder Twins”. They became the youngest children in British history to attend high school at the age of 9. They also set world records when they passed the A/AS-level math papers as well as became the youngest to ever pass the University of Cambridge’s advanced mathematics exam.

The other member of the family, Anne-Marie also became the youngest person to pass the A-level computing exam. She has contributed immensely to education and for her contribution to education, she was recognized as BBC’s 100 Women in 2017.

At 11 years old, another child of the family, Christina Imafidon was the youngest student in history to attend British University.

4. Nigeria has Africa’s Oldest Dye Pit

Kofar Mata Dye Pit was founded in 1498 in Kano State, Nigeria. It remains the oldest dye pit in Africa and it’s known for the production of ancient fabric.

In ancient times, people traveled from different parts of the world to buy dyed fabric. One of the most interesting things about the over 500-year-old pit is its ability to stick to the ancient method of tye and dye. The methods have been passed to several generations and the same ingredients used for the process are still used.

Nonetheless, the dye pit has been losing its glory in recent times and many works have been done to bring back what it has lost and even make it greater.

5. It has the Highest Rate of Twins in the World

Igbo-Ora, a town in Oyo State in Nigeria has recorded the highest incidence of multiple births.

Based on reports, about 45 to 50 sets of twins per 1000 live births have been recorded in this town.

You may want to ask why the rate of twin births is high in Nigeria. Well, the major factor given is nutrition. Igbo-Ora is known for having a particular species of yam which is mostly turned into flour and made with a special type of soup.

While this report may not have scientific backing, people around the area widely believe that the delicacy increases fertility and it is why they have several multiple births.

6. Nigeria has the Biggest Film and Music Industries in Africa

From music to movies and entertainment in general, Nigeria is known for taking center stage in Africa. The annual growth of the Nigerian music industry has been massive and has enjoyed a growth rate of about 7.20% since 2022.

Some of the biggest musicians in Africa are Nigerians. They include Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Davido.

Moreso, the Nigerian movie industry is the third-largest in the world in terms of the number of annual film productions. This places it ahead of the United States and a step below India.

The film industry makes up about 5% of Nigeria’s national GDP.

7. The People of the Country are Some of the most Optimistic People in the World

Despite the daggers that come shooting through different angles in Nigeria, CNN has credited the country’s people as highly optimistic people. Also, Nigerians have made it to the list of some of the happiest people on earth.

Their optimistic nature is often associated with their religious lives and believe that no matter how things are bad, a supreme being can make things better.

8. It Has 7% of the Total Languages Spoken on Earth 

Nigeria is a country with more than 250 languages and is one of the most culturally diversified countries in the world.

Currently, the country makes up about 7% of the world’s total ethnic groups. Only Taraba state in northern Nigeria has more languages than 30 African countries.

The major languages in the country are Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba.

9. Nigeria’s Niger Delta is One of the Largest Deltas in the World

The Niger Delta runs about 150 miles and covers about 36,000 square kilometers and it is also one of the world’s largest deltas in the world.

The delta is also one of the most revenue-generating rivers in Nigeria.

It is home to some endangered species in the world. More to this, the Niger Delta has the highest concentration of monotypic fish families in the world.

10. The Walls of Benin were the Largest Earthworks in the World

The walls of Benin were one the greatest in the world and stood for 400 years from the first millennium CE to 1897 when it was destroyed by the British.

The wall is evidence of the earliest civilization in Africa. The city was a series of earthworks made of banks and ditches and has been described as the largest earthworks before the mechanical era.

According to some historians, the walls were about four times longer than the Great Wall of China. Also, there are recordings that it took an estimated 150 million hours of digging to construct and may also be the largest single archeological phenomenon on the planet.

The post Is Nigeria Still the Giant of Africa? 10 Facts You Should Know About the West African Country appeared first on WeAfrique.

Among them is Sonni Ali Ber of the Songhai Empire, who is known for a series of conquests. Ranavalona I resisted Western imperialism, and the list goes on. Sit back as we take you on an interesting ride through the lives of these men and women who demonstrated courage, bravery, and exceptional leadership skills.

10. Sonni Ali Ber

Sonni Ali Ber, a great African king who ruled the Songhai Empire from 1464 to 1492, transformed the empire through a series of conquests. He was the first king of the empire to defeat the Mali Empire, making it part of his own. He also defeated and captured the fortified cities of Timbuktu and Djenne, as well as the Mossi, Dogon, and Tuareg peoples.

This African monarch is remembered as a great magician. Instead of following the Islamic religion of the Mali Empire, he allowed the practice of both Islam and African traditional religion in his empire. However, Islamic chroniclers portrayed Sonni as a tyrant.

During his reign, the Songhai Empire experienced a great increase in power and wealth, surpassing the great Mali Empire. Sonni Ali Ber died on November 6, 1492, after drowning while crossing the Niger River. Other sources report that he was killed by his nephew, Askia Muhammad Toure. He was succeeded by his son, Sunni Baru.

9. Ranavalona I 

This African queen, also known as the Mad Queen of Madagascar, was born in 1788 as Ramavo into a very humble background. Her father heard of a plot to kill the future king, Radama, and reported it to him. In return, the king adopted Ramavo and arranged for her to marry his son, the future king.

She became the first of his 12 wives. However, the couple did not give birth to any children by the time Radama died, so there was no heir to the throne.

The throne of Madagascar was then designed to be handed over to Radama’s nephew, Prince Rakotobe. However, tradition stated that any child Ranavalona bore, whether for him or not, would be considered his and would automatically become the heir. To retain his throne, Rakotobe plotted to kill Ranavalona, but she found out and decided to act swiftly.

Before Radama’s death, he had been open to Western influence by allowing Christian missionaries to set up schools and even sending some of his children to these schools. Ranavalona then aligned herself with religious and traditional leaders. She mobilized a group of military men from her hometown and occupied the palace. The kingmakers were given a choice to either accept Ranavalona as queen or suffer the consequences. She was declared queen on August 1, 1828.

During her reign, she undid most of her husband’s reforms and terminated trade agreements with the French and English. Those who resisted her rule were fed a poisonous nut called Tangena that was used to test a person’s loyalty. Sometimes, these rebels were tortured and mutilated.

Other tribes apart from hers also suffered under her rule. She abolished Christianity in her kingdom and killed all those who disobeyed her order. This queen is said to have killed between 30 and 50 percent of the entire population during her reign.

She became very rich and was considered the ruler favored by the gods. Although she was known for cruelty, tyranny, and xenophobia, she protected her people from European encroachment. She is also known as “Ranavalona the Cruel.”

8. Askia Muhammad I

Muhammad Toure also known as Askia the Great is the most renowned ruler of the Songhai Empire. He was the chief minister to Sonni Ali. Askia deposed Sonni Baru, Sonni Ali’s son who succeeded him after his death. He violated the succession mode of the empire because he was not from a royal lineage.

Under his rule, the Songhai Empire expanded rapidly. It incorporated modern-day Kano state in Nigeria. He made all former territories of the Mali Empire pay tributes to Songhai. Askia the Great also introduced policies that increased the empire’s trade with Europe and Asia. He established standardized trade measures and regulations and initiated the policing of trade routes and an organized tax system.

He expanded Islam in his territories, created Islamic schools, made it an integral part of the empire, and replaced Songhai administrators with Arab Muslims. The period of his reign was marked by a love for war and respect for Islam, which is why Islamic scholars consider him the greatest king of the empire.

He was deposed by his son Askia Musa in 1528 and died in 1538 at the age of 96.

7. Hatshepsut

This African queen is known to be the most powerful female pharaoh in Egypt’s history. She was born around 1504BC, to Pharaoh Thutmose I, who died without a son. She then married her half-brother Thutmose II and helped him become pharaoh. After his death, her stepson, Thutmose III who was just 3 years old at the time, became king.

Hatshepsut ruled Egypt in his name. By the time he was 8, she took the throne and named herself his co-ruler. This was said to be due to brewing plots to overthrow the young pharaoh. The both of them would rule together for the next 22 years.

This African queen brought great wealth and prosperity to Egypt. She sponsored one of the empire’s most successful trading expeditions, bringing back gold, ebony, and incense from Punt.

Some of her legacies including 100-foot-tall obelisks in the great temple complex at Karnak are still standing in Egypt to this day. She also built the mortuary temple of Deir el Bahri, where she was buried after she died in 1458 BC.

Although early depictions of her were feminine, they began to take a masculine feel along the line. She was sometimes depicted in the traditional garment of the male ruler of Egypt. By the end of her reign, she had dropped all feminine titles and picked up the masculine version of her name, Hatshepu. However, she was referenced by historians as a woman with the title “Daughter of Re” or “His Majesty Herself”.

6. Idris Alooma

Idris Ali, posthumously named Idris Alooma was the greatest ruler of the Kanem-Bornu Empire of West Africa. He was an outstanding statesman and during his reign as Mai, the empire reached the zenith of its power. Idris Alooma built his palace in Gambaru against the capital city of Ngazargamu.

He was a skilled military man, who fought and conquered his adversaries which included the Hausa to the west, Tuareg and Toubou to the north, and the Bulala to the east. He was said to have won 330 wars and more than a thousand battles.

Mai Idris Alooma expanded the empire’s military. He introduced the iron-helmeted musketeers who were trained by the Ottoman military. This African king had strong diplomacy with different kingdoms. He signed the first recorded treaty in the empire’s history.

The Mai introduced a wide range of legal and institutional reforms. He funded the building of several mosques, made a pilgrimage to Mecca, and arranged for the establishment of a hostel to be used by the pilgrims from his empire. He introduced Islamic learning in the empire and improved the navigation of the Yobe River.

The ruler also introduced a larger number of camels for transportation. The capital city of his Empire became one of the largest cities in Africa during his reign.

5. Queen Moremi

Moremi, a legendary Yoruba queen and folk heroine, was born in the 12th century in a village called Offa, in present-day Kwara State, Nigeria. She was the wife of Oranmiyan, the son of Oduduwa, the founder of the Yoruba people of West Africa.

At the time, the Yoruba people were at war with an adjoining tribe known as the Ugbo. The people of Ile-Ife were furious about the Ugbo’s attacks, but they did not know what to do about it because they believed the invaders were not human.

To deal with the problem, Moremi pledged a huge sacrifice to the spirit of the river, Esimirin, if it gave her strength and wisdom on how to help her people. Esimirin agreed, and Moremi then offered herself to be captured by the Ugbo people and was taken to their land.

With Esimirin’s help, Moremi found favor in the sight of the Ugbo king and eventually became his wife. During her stay there, she familiarized herself with the secrets of the Ugbo army. When she had learned enough, she fled back to Ile-Ife and revealed the secrets to her people.

This helped the people of Ile-Ife to defeat the Ugbo people in battle. After the war was over, Moremi returned to her husband, Oranmiyan, who reinstated her as queen.

To fulfill her promise to Esimirin, Moremi sacrificed her son, Oluorogbo. This was a difficult decision, but Moremi knew that it was necessary to protect her people.

Today, Moremi is revered by the Yoruba people for her bravery and selflessness. They celebrate the Edi Festival in her honor, and a statue of her was erected in 2017 by Oba Ogunwusi. It is the tallest statue in Nigeria and the fourth tallest in Africa.

4. Behanzin Bowelle

King Behanzin was the last independent ruler of the Kingdom of Dahomey. He was the son of Glele, the 10th king of Dahomey, and became the 11th king of the empire in 1890, after his father’s death. Kondo then changed his name to Behanzin.

Behanzin was a strong and courageous leader. He fought the Europeans when they started encroaching on his empire, which was one of the most powerful kingdoms of West Africa. During his reign, Dahomey had one of the strongest armies in the area, comprising both men and women. He skillfully led his troop of 15,000 men and 5,000 women to war.

In 1882, France declared Porto Novo, a neighboring city, a French protectorate without consulting its people. Behanzin saw this as disrespectful, and his people refused to tolerate it. After he became king in 1890, he attacked the French with rifles provided to them by the Germans, on both military and economic fronts.

Behanzin subsequently declared that the treaty signed by his father was null and void and then declared war on the French. Despite losing the war, Behanzin refused to sign a treaty making Dahomey a French colony. He was then tricked into exile in Martinique, where he died in 1906.

3. Ahebi Ugbabe

This African leader is known for being the only female king in colonial Nigeria. She was born in Enugu-Ezike as the only daughter of a farmer and palm wine tapper and his trader wife. After her father consulted a spiritualist over the series of mishaps that occurred in their family, he was told that he had offended a god and the only way out was to offer his daughter as a wife to the goddess. Ahebi fled to Igala without any handwork or education. To fend for herself, she resorted to sex work, which helped her to meet different people from different places. She learned to speak different languages including Nupe, Igala, and Pidgin English.

From the proceeds of her business, she began to trade in palm oil and horses. She became one of the most influential traders in the area, and her ability to speak different languages gave her an edge over the local traders who could only speak Igala. She also got access to British colonials.

After the colonialists invaded Enugu, with her help, she was able to court their alliance and returned home in 1918. Ahebi was made the village headman under the supervision of the Divisional Officer. She rose to a warrant chief and subsequently went back to Igala where she was crowned king.

During her reign as king, she held court cases in the palace while making money from the services she offered. She offered her palace to women who had abusive husbands and became their husbands. Ahebi married wives for herself, looked for men who had sex with these wives, and claimed paternity. She hosted a Catholic school in her palace as well.

Ahebi died in 1948; however, she had performed her funeral rites two years earlier because of fear that she might not be given a befitting burial.

2. Ewuare the Great

One of the greatest kings in Africa is Oba Ewuare, son of Oba Ohen of Benin. He was given the name Ogun at birth and took up the name Ewaure after he became king of Benin in 1440. Ewuare was crowned king after he overthrew his brother Uwaifokun, who betrayed him after being sent into exile.

As king of the empire, he brought about many reforms. He transformed it politically, socially, religiously, and economically, and the kingdom of Benin experienced prosperity. He rebuilt the kingdom, reformed its political structure, and adopted the firstborn succession system.

During his reign, he won over two hundred battles and expanded his kingdom to different towns. He facilitated trade between his kingdom and the Portuguese.

Similarly, he expanded the arts sector of the kingdom and introduced coral beads for which the Benin people are famous. He introduced several festivities to the area.

Ewuare the Great died in 1473 and was succeeded by his son Ezoti.

See Also: 10 Shocking Beauty Practices Across Africa

1. Nzinga Mbande

Also known as Nzinga of Ndongo and Matamba, this African queen ruled her kingdom between 1583 and 1663. She was born into the royal Ndongo family.

Her father, Ngola Kiluanji, allowed Nzinga and her brother, Ngola Mbandi, to witness his governance. As a result, they had an understanding of the implications of Portuguese colonialism and slavery.

Subsequently, after her brother became king, he sent Nzinga as his emissary to Luanda. There she created an impression on the governor when she refused to sit on the floor and instead called her servant to kneel on all fours and sat on him as a human chair. She converted to Christianity and was baptized. While he was away, her brother, the king, died under unknown circumstances.

Nzinga returned and claimed the throne as ruler of the kingdom after her nephew, the rightful heir, was killed, presumably by Nzinga.

During her reign as queen, Nzinga led the Mbundu army to war against the Portuguese which ended in 1647 after 30 years. She fought against the Portuguese and their expansion of slave trade in her territory.

The queen kept both male and female concubines, married multiple husbands, and insisted on being addressed as a king while wearing male clothes. Nzinga died on December 17, 1663, and was succeeded by her sister Barbara.

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In this article, we will be looking at 20 of the greatest African kings and queens who have ruled different parts of Africa and how their reigns impacted the territories they ruled over.

Great Kings And Queens Of Africa

1. Pharaoh Akhenaten

Although Egyptologists know very little about Akhenaten’s birthday and early life, it has been established that he was named Amenhotep at birth. Akhenaten was the son of Pharoah Amenhotep III of Egypt and his wife, Tiye and he became heir to the throne after his older brother, Thutmose died.

He ruled as Amenhotep IV until the 5th year of his reign when he changed his name to Akhenaten. Also, Akhenaten was married to Queen Nefertiti and other women, who bore him many children.

This king is famous for abandoning Egypt’s traditional polytheism and introducing a new religion known as Atenism. This religion was centered on worshiping a god called Aten, which was represented as a solar disk. Consequently, he attacked other Egyptian gods and erased the names and images from Egyptian monuments.

He also created new architectural designs and moved the capital city of Eygpt to a new site named Akhetaten. This translates to “a place where Aten becomes effective”. He further claimed that Aten manifested itself for the first time there.

Akhenaten died in the 17th year of his reign. However, the reason for his death and where he was buried have remained a mystery. It was also revealed that he was not given a royal burial.

2. Queen Amina

Also called Aminatu, Queen Amina was born to King Nikatau, the 22nd King of Zazzau, and his wife, Queen Bakwa Turunku, in the mid-16th century.

After the death of her father, her older brother, Karami, became king. During his reign, Amina led the cavalry of her Zazzau’s army and became a famous warrior princess. Subsequently, after the death of her brother in 1576, she ascended the throne of Zazzau.

During her reign as the Queen, she conquered many territories which led to the expansion of the kingdom. It was said that she built walls around all the areas she conquered, which was proof of her existence. Similarly, she introduced the production of kola nuts in the area.

Although there are plenty of discrepancies surrounding her death, many authors have stated in their writings that she passed away in Atagara, which is the modern-day Idah, Kogi State of north-central Nigeria.

The Queen exceeded the accomplishments of her predecessors. Although she did not get married, it was revealed that she took slave husbands from villages she conquered and executed them afterward. In recent times, the matriarch is a symbol of the strength of a woman.

3. Menelik II

Menelik II, one of the greatest African kings, was born in 1844, in Ankober, Shewa, Ethiopia. His father, Haile Malakot, was the king of Shewa. Menelik II got baptized and took the name Sahle Mariam.

Shortly before the death of his father, Menelik was taken as a prisoner by Emperor Tewodros II. While in captivity, he continued to receive an education and would later marry one of the Emperor’s daughters.

He escaped captivity and returned to Shewa and claimed his throne as the king in 1865. However, he had a bigger ambition, which was to become the emperor of the entire Ethiopia and not just a small village. In order to achieve that, he pledged his loyalty to Emperor Yohanes IV.

Menelik was the strongest contender for the throne after the emperor died in a battle. He was crowned “negus negast” which means king of kings, on November 3, 1889, at the church of Mary, on Mount Entoto

He transformed the Ethiopian empire and defeated the Italian troops to defend the independence of his people during his reign. Subsequently, he introduced a national currency, improved the educational sector, constructed a railway from Djibouti to the new Ethiopian capital, Adis Ababa, and established the first telephone and telegraph systems in the Empire.

The emperor suffered a stroke in 1909, after which his wife, Queen Taytu, ascended the throne. Unfortunately, the Emperor did not recover, as he died a few years later, on December 12, 1913. He was buried without any announcement or ceremony in the Imperial Palace. In 1916, he was reburied in a Ba’eta Le Mariam Monastery, Adis Ababa, which was specifically for him.

4. Kadanke Amanirenas

Also known as the “one-eyed queen”, Amanirenas was born between 60 and 50 BCE. She ruled the Ancient Kingdom of Kush between 40-10 BCE and is the second of the 8 Kandankes of the Kingdom of Kush.

Amanirenas is famous for defending her kingdom against the Roman Empire. She defaced the statue of Ceasar Augustus by removing its head and burying it at the entrance of her palace.

The Kadane was not intimidated by the weapons the Romans had, she gave the Roman Emperor, Augustus, an ultimatum. She sent him arrows with the message “If you want peace, they are a token of warmth and friendship. If you want war, you’ll need them”.

Augustus submitted to the demand of the queen even though he considered her message to be an insult. He withdrew Roman control from all the Kushite territories that had been conquered. The two empires signed a peace treaty in 22 BCE. Amanirenas died in 10 BCE.

5. Oba Oduduwa

Oduduwa is revered by the Yoruba people of West Africa not just as a ruler, but as a god. He is believed to be the founder of this widespread ethnic group. While some believed that he came to earth through a mythical chain in the 12th century and settled in Ile Ife, others believed he was sent by Olodumare, the lord of the skies, to fulfill a mission his brother, Obatala was unable to complete.

His name Oduduwa translates to “the great repository which brings forth existence”. He was the Olofin of Ile Ife and ruled the city for a few years. However, he never bore the title of the Ooni of Ife nor used the Ife traditional crown.

Unfortunately, Oduduwa was killed during a leadership contest between Obatala, Orunmila, and Owa Ilare. His death led to the dispersal of his children and grandchildren to different territories where they became founders. One of these territories is the great Benin Empire founded by his grandson, Prince Oranmiyan. Another of his grandsons became the first Alaafin of Oyo.

In the Yoruba culture, Oduduwa is a symbol of life or the power of the womb. He also represents the omnipotence and the values of the culture.

6. Makeda

The Queen of Sheba is one of the queens recorded in the Bible. She was also known as Queen Sheba, Queen of Saba, and Queen Belqis. She became the Queen of Axum after winning the battle against the serpent king, Arwe, who had troubled the northern Ethiopian Kingdom.

Queen Makeda of Sheba was one of the women of Solomon, King of Isreal’s life. It was recorded that she traveled all the way to bring gifts to King Solomon. Afterward, she bore him a son, Menelik I, who would become the first imperial leader of Ethiopia and the first of the lineage of Aksumite kings.

Although her existence is disputed among historians, she is identified by modern historians with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. She is believed to be the first African Queen to rule in 960 BC, and through her, a lineage of East African and Nubian Kings emerged.

7. Mansa Musa

Mansa Musa is arguably one of the greatest kings to have ruled Africa. He ruled the Mali Kingdom from 1312 to 1337. His territory cut across present-day Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Chad, The Gambia, Niger, Guinea, Mauritania, and Burkina Faso.

The already flourishing Mali Kingdom blossomed even more during his reign. At the empire’s peak, Mansa became the wealthiest man to have ever lived.

His wealth and greatness were recorded by the Europeans and the Egyptians. He built the economy of the empire by trading in gold, salt, and ivory among other things.  With the money he got from trading, Mansa Musa funded the education, architectural, and art sectors of the Mali Empire.

The great King Mansa died in 1337 and was succeeded by his son, who could not handle the great empire left in his care. That led to the fall of the Great Mali Empire.

8. Yaa Asantewaa

This African Queen was born to Kwaku Ampoma and Ata Po, in Besease, in 1840. She was known as an intellectual, activist, and queen mother.

Yaa Asantewaa fought alongside her people against British colonialism in 1900. The war is also known as the Yaa Asantewaa War of Independence.

Sadly, she died after being exiled to Seychelles in 1921. She was considered a hero for not giving up the royal golden stool, which symbolizes the authority of the King, the soul of the nation, and the unity of the Asante people.

She is remembered for her active participation in the liberation of her people, which led to the territory becoming the first African nation in sub-Saharan Africa to gain independence from British colonialism.

9. Shaka Zulu

The founder of the Zulu empire was born to the chief of Zulu sometime in 1787. There were many controversies surrounding his birth because at the time, his parents were not married and their relationship was considered an abomination.

The complexities of their relationship led to his father denying the paternity but later accepting it. When Shaka was 6, his parents separated and he grew up with his mother; making him experience a terrible childhood. He was always referred to as a bastard. However, he did not allow the unfortunate events in his life to deter him.

He learned under the mentorship of the leader of another clan, Dingiswayo, whom he served.  Digiswayo helped him take over the throne of Zulu from his brother in a coup, after the death of his father.

His reign was characterized by brutality and military expansion. After the death of Dingiswayo, Shaka Zulu took control of the surrounding territories and became the most powerful and influential ruler in the area. This led to the formation of the Zulu Kingdom.

After the death of his mother, he ordered that no crops should be planted for a year. Similarly, no milk should be used for the year, he also ordered the execution of pregnant women in the area. He murdered as many as 7000 people as a way of grieving. This led to his assassination by his half-brothers in 1828. He was buried in an unmarked grave

See Also: Greatest African Kings: Ewuare the Great

10. Queen Nefertiti

Nefertiti whose name means “a beautiful woman has come”, was the wife of Akhenaten, the Pharoah of Egypt. According to some sources, she is the daughter or niece of a high chief called Ay, from a town called Akhmim. Other sources suggest she was a princess of the Mittani Kingdom in Syria.

She ruled Eygpt alongside her husband and subsequently, after his death. She became very wealthy as she saw the expansions of the kingdom. The Queen changed her name to Neferneferuaten-Nefertiti which means “beautiful are the beauties of Aten, a beautiful woman has come”.

During her reign as Queen, she consolidated the developments made by her husband.

Today, Nefertiti is the ideal symbol of beauty and feminine power. The bust of Nefertiti is one of the icons of Ancient Egypt. She was known for many titles, some of which include Hereditary Princess, Great of Praises, Lady of Grace, Sweet of Love, Main King’s Wife, and Lady of all Women.

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In this article, we will take a look at the Most Evil Men In Africa’s History. These people committed many atrocities against the human race and have been considered some of the evilest people Africa has ever seen.

1. Idi Amin Dada

Also known as the Butcher of Uganda, Kijambiya, or Black Hitler, Idi Amin Dada Oumee was a Ugandan dictator and warlord who served as the country’s third president. Due to the fact that he did not authorize the writing of an official account of his life, his date of birth is not known. However, he was said to have been born between 1923 to 1928.

He overthrew the Ugandan president, Milton Obote via a military coup in 1971, while he was attending a commonwealth summit in Singapore. During his reign as president of Uganda, Idi Amin earned the nickname “Butcher of Uganda” due to his brutality. It is believed that no fewer than 300,000 people including political rivals, farmers, religious leaders, and even children,  lost their lives at the time.

Additionally, this Ugandan president was accused of cannibalism. It was said that he kept the bodies of his victims in a refrigerator, from which he feasted. Similarly, he had an underground prison with a torture chamber where he ousted his victims.

This Ugandan president woke up one morning and decided he didn’t want any Asians in his country anymore, so he gave them an ultimatum of 90 days to leave the country or face his wrath. Out of fear, these Asians left everything they had, which his men then took.

Idi Amin was also known for his mood swings, he killed a lot of people, especially employees. It was said that one of his employees found out about his death on the radio after his principal had decided to kill him.

Even his wives were not exempted from his killing spree. He killed his fourth wife one year after their divorce for being disloyal to him. She was mutilated while he was four months pregnant with another man’s child.

As president, his official title was

“His Excellency, President for Life, Field Marshall, Alhaji Doctor Idi Amin Dada, VC, DSO, MC, Lord of All the Beasts of the Earth and Fishes of the Sea and Conqueror of  the British Empire in Africa in General and Uganda in Particular”

Idi Amin had 6 wives and over 40 children. he was ousted in 1978, and he fled to Saudi Arabia, where he died of multiple organ failures in 2003.

2. Jean-Bedel Bokassa

Born on 22 February 1921, this evil African leader was nicknamed “the butcher of Bangui”. He became the president of the Central African Republic on January 1, 1966. His regime was supported by the French military and economic aid.

Bokassa declared himself president for life in 1972 and began to kill anyone who opposed him. This African leader went on to declare his country an Empire and renamed it as Central African Empire. His office became the office of the Emperor and himself, Emperor Bokassa I.

His rein in CAR was characterized by brutality. He ordered that all schoolchildren purchase uniforms that were only made by the factory his wife owned. This led to protests by the schoolchildren, and in return, Bokassa ordered the arrest, imprisonment, and killing of the protesters. Over 100 children were killed.

This evil leader was also a cannibal who ate the bodies of victims of his brutality. Bodies were discovered in his freezers shortly after he was overthrown as Emperor. Some of the bodies including that of children were disemboweled and mutilated.

Bokassa ordered that thieves should lose an ear after the first two offenses, and a har for the third. He also supervised the torture of his victims and fed them to lions and crocodiles

He was overthrown in 1979 and went into exile in France. Subsequently, in the 1980s his children were arrested for shoplifting food. The overthrown president returned to the Central  African Republic in 1986 where he was tried and convicted of murder, cannibalism, assault, and treason, among other crimes. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in solitary confinement. His sentence was then reduced to 20 years, from which he was pardoned in 1993. Bokassa died at the age of 75, from a heart attack in 1996.

3. Jean Kambanda

The Rwandan genocide is infamous for the deaths of over 800,000 people, but what many do not know is who took responsibility for these deaths. Jean Kambanda is the only Rwandan leader to plead guilty for the massacre that lasted between April to July 1994.

He was born on October 19, 1955, in Huye, Rwanda. Jean became the Prime minister of Rwanda in 1994 and it was during his tenure that the infamous Rwandan genocide occurred.

The Rwandan prime minister was arrested and charged to the International Criminal Tribunal, where he was sentenced to life imprisonment for genocide, agreement to commit genocide, incitement to genocide, aiding and abetting genocide, failing to prevent genocide, and two counts of crimes against humanity.

In an appeal, he said though he confessed to being responsible, he was not guilty, and his confession was an error due to poor counsel. He was sentenced to life imprisonment  in 1998

4. Muammar Ghaddafi

This Libyan revolutionary, politician, and former president was born in 1942. He ruled Libya between 1969 to 2011. During this time, the Libyan economy blossomed. He demanded that the oil companies in Libya pay a bigger share of the revenue to the country. Gadaffi is famous for having female bodyguards.

Despite the increase, he brought to this country, he was a brutal leader, which earned him the nickname “Mad Dog of the Middle East”. He was accused of being the brain behind the bombing of the West Berlin dance clubs that killed a lot of people.

The former Libyan leader was also accused of sex crimes. It was said that he raped hundreds of teenagers in sex dungeons that were built specifically for that purpose. These sex dungeons were equipped with medical gadgets for examination for sexually transmitted diseases.

He was charged with two counts of crimes against humanity but was terminated in November 2011, after he was shot and killed by a rebel group.

See Also: 10 Shocking Beauty Practices Across Africa

5. Charles Taylor

Taylor was born in a small town near Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, on January 28, 1948. He became the president of Liberia in 1997, until his resignation in 2003.

He became one of the most powerful warlords in Africa’s history after the first Liberian civil war. Subsequently, he was in charge of the National Patriotic Front of Liberia, a revolting group that killed more than 200,000 Liberians.

Charles Taylor was accused of aiding the Revolutionary United Front with weapon sales in exchange for blood diamonds, which led to the death of over 50,000 people. Other crimes committed by this African leader included murder, mutilation, rape, and the conscription of children into the army.

Due to a lot of pressure from the international community, Charles Taylor was sentenced to 50 years in prison for different crimes, including war crimes, he committed while he was president.

6. Ahmed Sekou Toure

This African leader was born on January 9, 1922, in French Guinea. He became the first president of the independent republic of Guinea in October 1958, after serving in many unions in the country.

His tenure was characterized by human rights oppression and brutality. The fear of his wrath led a lot of indigenes of the country to flee for fear of being arrested and kept in prison camps. He executed anyone who dared oppose his government.

In 1958, he ordered the execution of 58 people for their involvement in an unsuccessful coup against his government. Toure died in March 1984, in Cleveland while undergoing treatment for cardiac issues.

7. Francisco Macias Nguema

Born on January 1, 1924, Francisco Nguema is considered one of the most brutal and evil dictators in Africa’s history. He came to office as the president of Equatorial Guinea in 1968. Nguema was the first president of the country following its independence.

He consolidated power by establishing an extreme cult system. He held anti-European speeches and killed whoever he perceived was against him, including his cabinet members and senior officials.

Nguema once ordered the killing of 186 suspected dissidents in a national stadium, while playing Mary Hopkins’ song, Those were the days. 150 of them were shot and hanged, while the remaining 36 were made to dig their graves, buried up to their necks, and eaten alive by red ants.

Nguema was rumored to have had a mental illness which was partly responsible for his action. Additionally, he was said to be an abuser of drugs and other illicit substances.

This evil leader once ordered the killing of an entire village, because of one person he thought was opposing his government. Male prisoners were beaten to death with wooden clubs, while females were subjected to sexual abuse, sometimes, in the presence of their husbands.

Nguema was executed by hired firing squad in September 1979, after his nephew Teodoro Nguema came to power via a coup. The Equatoguinean soldiers refused to shoot him after he promised that his ghost would come back and take revenge on those who killed him.

8. Joseph Rao Kony

It seems as though Uganda has had its share of evil leaders in the past. This Ugandan leader is one of the evilest men in history. He was born in 1961 and rose to become the founder and leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army, a religious group that has been designated a terrorist group by the United Nations Peacekeepers and the European Union among other international organizations.

Through his organization, Kony has been involved with the conscription of minors into the army and has been responsible for the deaths of over 100,00 and the abduction of at least 60,000 children. Other crimes committed by this evil man include sexual abuse and other crimes against humanity. He is also responsible for the displacement of over 2 million people.

Kony describes himself as a freedom fighter, fighting for the Christian faith in Uganda, but his actions seem far from it. He is currently one of the most wanted African militants and one of the most notorious warlords. He is said to have up to 60 wives and 42 children.

9. Joshua Miltton Blahyi

This African warlord is also called “General Butt Naked”. He was famous for going into battle naked wearing nothing except shoes and magic charms. But what was the logic behind that? it was revealed that at the age of 11, he was initiated as a high priest after being handed over to the elders at the age of 7.

Blahyi believed that going to battle naked made him immune to bullets. During wars, the warlord and his troops perpetrated all kinds of atrocities, including cannibalism and human sacrifices.

He claimed that he received a vision from the devil who told him he would become a great warrior and that by committing these atrocities, his powers would increase. General Butt Naked revealed that sometimes he would enter the water where children were playing, grab one and break his/her neck, other times he would cause accidents or just slaughter them, just in a bid to be more powerful. He would kill children, pluck out the heart, and eat it.

In 1996, Blahyi claimed he saw Jesus Christ who asked him to stop being a slave. With that, he converted to Christianity and became a preacher of the gospel. He confessed to the murders of at least 20,000 people after his conversion, at the Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

10. Bosco Ntaganda

This Rwandan warlord and the criminal was a former military chief of staff. He was born on November 5, 1973. He joined the Patriotic Forces for the Liberation of Congo, the military wing of the Union of Congolese Patriots, where he became its chief of military operations.

Ntaganda was involved in countless massacres, conscripting minors into the military, and other crimes against humanity Ntaganda told the underaged soldiers

When you’re a solider, you get a woman for free. Everything is free.

In 2006, he was charged with war crimes of enlisting children below the age of 15 and using them to participate in hostilities between 2002 and 2003. A warrant for his arrest was issued. However, the court ruled that circumstances had changed and unsealed the warrant.

In March, the Rwandan warlord handed himself to the US embassy in Rwanda and requested that his case should be transferred to the International Criminal Court in the Hague. He pleaded not guilty to the 18-count charge leveled against him including rape, murder, and sexual slavery.

Subsequently, he was convicted of all crimes and sentenced to 30 years imprisonment in 2019. The longest prison sentence by the ICC. It was also ruled that his victims should be compensated with $ 30 million, the highest amount ever awarded.

The post 10 Most Evil Men In Africa’s History appeared first on WeAfrique.

Some of these wars led to the birth of new nations while others brought liberatio. Even though many centuries have passed since these major wars and stories of these horrors have been told from one generation to another, conflict still remains Africa’s biggest challenge.

Here are the 10 Deadliest African Wars

1. The Second Congo War

Also called the Great War of Africa the second Congo War officially began in 1998 about 15 months after the first Congo war ended. What started as a dispute between then-President Laurent Kabila and countries like Angola, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi which enabled him to overthrow the former president Mobutu Sese Seko turned out to be a disaster that lasted until 2003.

History reveals that President Kabila ended his relationship with his allies upon his victory and dismissed them from their official duties. Some of them who had settled in Congo were asked to leave the country. Consequently, this escalated into a civil war between the armies of 5 countries such as Zimbabwe, Namibia, Angola, Chad, and Sudan who were for Kabila, and 4 troops from Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi who were against him.

This recorded the massive destruction of lives and properties, it also saw mass rapes and the extraction of natural resources from the Republic of Congo. For the worst, at least 3 million people were killed consisting of mostly civilians. This became the highest war death rate after World War II. Some of these deaths were also linked to disease and malnutrition from the war.

2. Rwanda Genocide

This remains the only genocide recorded in the history of Africa. The two main force of the fight was the major ethnic group of Rwanda – Hutus and the minor ethnic group – Tutsis.

The deliberate attack by the Hutu escalated after the death of the Hutu president Habyarimana whose plane was shot down by suspected Tutsis’. However, this was denied by the latter who claimed that the Hutu extremist killed their president in order to launch their long-planned attack against them.

Without further investigations, the Hutus began a 100-day open genocide which resulted in the death of 80000 people that were mostly of the Titus community.  It is stated this period saw neighbors fight against neighbors and couples against each other until the intervention of the Rwanda Patriotic Front and Uganda army who visited Kigali – the capital city of Rwanda and defeated the Hutus.

3. The Somali Civil War

This became one of the deadliest wars in Africa as it even stood against the efforts made by the United States. The war sparked after the removal of Mohammed Siad Barre from his presidential rule over the Somali Democratic Republic.

Consequently, the country was divided into two opposing parties who were both fighting for power and authority. On one hand, was the Somali National Movement in the North, and on the other was the United Somali Congress in the South.

Following the frustration to control of both parties, the United Nations and the United States intervened with military efforts and humanitarian aid albeit, they withdrew in 1994 as both parties were not willing to surrender or retreat.

The conflict between the parties saw the deaths of over 3 million civilians and at least a million displaced people.

Read Also: 7 Female Warriors Who Led African Empires and Armies

4. Nigerian Civil War

Many Nigerians may not recall the heat of 1967 however, the Igbo of the southern part of Nigeria would never forget a time like that and have passed the waves of this conflict from one generation to another.

From the story, the Igbo people formed an independent state called Biafran as they feared that the oppressive military government of Nigeria would deprive them of development. The group was officially declared independent in 1967 by its leader Officer Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.

As expected, this was perceived as an act of treason by the Federal Military Government of Nigeria which deployed several means of keeping them under control but things went south as war broke out between the Nigerian military and Biafra forces.

A few months into the war, Biafrans were outnumbered and lost their capital city Enugu. In 1968, they lost their oil-generating revenues in Port Harcourt.

More than the bullets and bombs from the Nigerian Militaries, hunger spread like wildfire and killed over a million Biafrans.

Nonetheless, they continued to send out armies from their hideouts until their second capital state  Owerri was defeated leading to the escape of their leader Ojukwu to the Ivory Coast in 1970 as well as their surrender 4 days later.

5. The Second Sudanese War

In the history of Africa, the Second Sudanese War remains the longest civil war to be recorded spanning over 2 decades from 1983 to 2005. It is thought to be the continuation of the first Sudanese Civil War which started in 1955 and saw its end in 1972.

However, with the start of the second war between the Sudanese Government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army, it’s obvious that the first war never ended.

Following the war, the lives of about 2 million people were claimed and some deaths were linked to starvation and disease. Millions of people were left displaced and over 500 fled to neighboring countries to find refuge.

Though the war left many Sudanese in pain, it also gave birth to hope when South Sudan gained her independence six years later.

6. Eritrean-Ethiopian Border War

This war is also known as the Badme War. The violent conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea started on May 6, 1998, following disputes over the border town known as Badme. The neighboring countries fought for this course for about two years which saw over 80 thousand people lose their lives and the displacement of communities.

Two years later in 2000, they signed a peace agreement and established a border commission to resolve the issue. However, this only lasted for a few months before conflict sparked again and sustained for two decades.

7. Mozambique Civil War

The civil war between the ruling Mozambique government and the Mozambique Resistance Movement (RENAMO) began in 1977 two years after Mozambique gained her independence from Portugal.

The rebel group was reportedly founded and financed by foreign nations such as Rhodesia and South Africa and was aimed at establishing a socialist one-party state against the opinions of the Mozambique government.

The fierceness of the war was the death of about 1 million people and 500 others from starvation in their hideouts. From the records, at least 5 million civilians were left displaced as their economy was decimated.

The Mozambique war ended in 1992 and two years later, the country held its first multiparty election with RENAMO as a political party.

8. The Sierra Leone Civil War

From 1991 until 2002, the government of Sierra Leone recorded an intense battle with the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) which was greatly supported by special forces of Charles Taylor’s National Patriotic Front of Liberia.

The war was an attempt to overthrow the Joseph Momoh government and control the diamond mines which reportedly crippled the economy and triggered the war.

This war lasted for 11 years until the British government military intervened and suppressed the rebel group. Prior to this, the lives of over 300 thousand people were claimed and over a million people were displaced.

9. The Lord’s Resistance Army Insurgence

This war was led by one of history’s brutal warlords Joseph Kony. He was also the leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army which waged war against the people of northern Uganda and neighboring countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Central African Republic (CAR), and Southern Sudan.

The rebel group was first initiated against Yoweri Museveni’s government after he seized power from the northern president Tito Okello in 1986. The group soon went to become a threat to humanity and the entire nation of Uganda. The group was driven by their aim of establishing a new government based on the Ten Commandments.

The violence created by the group resulted in millions of deaths and displacements of about 2 million people. It’s recorded that they also forced young children to serve in armies and others as sex slaves.

Despite efforts made by the Uganda government to end the hostilities through peace talks and even enforcement of military powers, they are still been terrorized by the group.

10. Central African Republic War

Since 2012, waves of conflicts between the Central African Republic and the Seleka rebel group have been recurring leading to massive deaths and destruction. To a large extent, many have fled to neighboring countries while others have been left displaced with no access to food and health care units. According to reports, water sources such as dams and rivers have been contaminated by dead bodies and are not usable.

The war started after the ruling government was accused by the rebels of not upholding peace agreements and forcibly seized power from then-president Francois Bozize.

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