African leaders' extended tenures raise concerns about governance and democratic institutions
Many African leaders continue to hold onto power despite advanced age, often manipulating institutions and constitutions. Cameroon's President Paul Biya, 93, has been out of the country since June 7, 2026, on a private stay in Europe, fueling speculation about his health. His prolonged absence, the longest since he took office in 1982, has led to officials insisting the state is functioning normally with remote governance. This situation mirrors past assurances regarding former Nigerian Presidents Umaru Yar'Adua and Muhammadu Buhari during their frequent foreign medical trips. The article highlights the case of former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, who ruled for 37 years until his resignation at 93, and his successor Emmerson Mnangagwa, 83, who has extended presidential terms and postponed elections. While Nigerian leaders have not typically exhibited a "sit-tight" mentality, some have remained in office at an advanced age, with President Bola Tinubu's frequent foreign travels also raising health concerns. Other leaders with extended tenures include Ivory Coast's President Alassane Ouattara, 84, Uganda's Yoweri Museveni, 81, and Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of the Congo, 82. The article suggests that citizens' passivity, often due to divisions, allows entrenched rulers to perpetuate their stay in office. It encourages Africans to draw inspiration from successful challenges to authoritarian rule, such as in Chile and during the Arab Spring, emphasizing the importa
