By Ephraim Agbo
"The more things change, the more they stay the same."
Nowhere is this paradox more painfully evident than in Africa’s political landscape—where a youthful continent continues to be ruled by leaders who have refused to let go.
In a region teeming with ambition, ideas, and energy, some of the world’s oldest and longest-serving presidents remain glued to power. It’s not just an issue of overstaying; it’s a crisis of arrested development, generational betrayal, and democratic decay.
🗳️ The Old Men Are Running Again—Again
Two recent announcements sent a ripple of déjà vu across the continent.
In Côte d’Ivoire, 83-year-old Alassane Ouattara declared his intention to run for a fourth presidential term this October. His third term was already marred by controversy and claims of constitutional defiance in 2020. Back then, Ouattara insisted the nation was in crisis—and that his experience was indispensable.
In Cameroon, Paul Biya, who has ruled since 1982, announced his bid for an eighth term at the astonishing age of 92. He has been in power for over 42 years—longer than most Cameroonians have been alive.
It would be laughable if it weren’t tragic.
👶 A Young Continent, An Old Cabal
Here’s the cruel irony: Africa is the youngest continent on Earth. The median age is 19. In Cameroon alone, 42% of the population is under the age of 15. Yet, they're governed by men who came to power before the advent of mobile phones, the internet, or even democratic elections in their own countries.
This isn’t just a statistical quirk. It’s a generational chokehold.
When young people, full of hope and vision, look at their leaders and see grandfathers clinging to thrones—thrones built on outdated ideologies and colonial-era power structures—how can they believe change is possible?
🤝 Strongmen, Weak Systems
The obsession with power isn't just about ego—though there's plenty of that. It’s about fear, survival, and the rotten fruits of personalized governance.
As Patience Akumu, a Ugandan lawyer and social justice campaigner, explains:
“When you’ve ruled for decades, you fear what lies on the other side. You’ve built fragile systems that can’t survive without you. You’ve seen poverty, repression, and possibly blood on your hands. You fear accountability. You fear the fall.”
And it’s true. Many of Africa’s long-standing rulers have gutted institutions and replaced them with loyalty networks. Courts are toothless, parliaments are rubber stamps, and election commissions are puppets. When you build a system around yourself, you can’t afford to leave—because you know it won’t protect you.
That’s not leadership. That’s hostage-taking.
🌍 Why Can’t ECOWAS or the AU Stop This?
On paper, Africa has the frameworks to prevent these democratic backslides. The African Union and ECOWAS are armed with charters that promote democracy, term limits, human rights, and accountability.
But here’s the problem: they’re led by the very same class of ageing, self-preserving elites they’re meant to restrain.
As Akumu puts it:
“These regional bodies look progressive on paper—but they are run by the same old men, the same patriarchs. Until we put younger, independent, and truly representative voices at the helm, the AU and ECOWAS will remain paper tigers.”
🌱 The Mandela Model—and Why It’s Ignored
There is one shining exception: Nelson Mandela. The man who could have ruled South Africa indefinitely chose to serve only one term, despite overwhelming popularity. His legacy? Leadership with integrity. Power with humility.
But Mandela’s example was not followed—it was buried.
Why? Because Mandela built systems, not cults. He knew the true measure of leadership is not how long you stay, but what you leave behind. Most other leaders built legacies in their own image, not for their people, but for their preservation.
🚫 The Cost of Stagnation
This leadership crisis is more than a democratic nuisance—it’s a barrier to progress.
While the world leaps ahead in technology, climate action, and innovation, Africa remains stuck in a loop of recycled manifestos, stolen elections, and eternal incumbency. Young people are paying the price: high unemployment, crumbling health systems, fragile education, and mass migration.
How long must they wait?
Africa is the epicenter of 95% of global malaria deaths. Malnutrition, inflation, and insecurity plague everyday life. But many presidents seem more concerned with protecting their seats than protecting their citizens.
✊🏽 Resistance Is Growing
Still, not all hope is lost. Across the continent, young Africans are rising.
From the streets of Lagos during the #EndSARS movement to the civil uprisings in Sudan and the electoral activism in Kenya and Ghana—Africa’s youth are refusing to be silenced.
Civil society is alive. Journalists are reporting. Artists are creating. Activists are mobilizing. There’s a quiet revolution brewing—and when it bursts, it will be unstoppable.
But these brave efforts need space to breathe, institutions that protect, and leaders who listen.
⚖️ The Way Forward
So what must be done?
✅ Enforce term limits—not just in theory, but through ironclad, independent laws.
✅ Invest in youth leadership—lower barriers to candidacy and fund civic education.
✅ Reform regional bodies—appoint younger, gender-balanced, and transparent leadership.
✅ Strengthen institutions—judiciaries, legislatures, and media must be shielded from executive capture.
✅ Change the culture—Leadership should be a service, not a destiny. Power should be borrowed, not owned.
🔥 Final Word
Africa doesn’t suffer from a lack of talent. It suffers from a fear of letting go.
And unless this grip is broken, the continent will continue to be led by yesterday’s men—while tomorrow’s leaders are locked out, silenced, or forced to flee.
But history teaches us that even the strongest regimes fall. Walls crack. Thrones shake. Movements swell. Change always comes—it’s just a matter of when.
Let that when be now.
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