These African Dictators Became Presidents When Emmanuel Macron Was Still A Toddler. Today They Are Still In Power

The tragedy of the African continent can be understood by its long serving rulers, grandfathers who have been in power for decades and have lost touch with the realities of the 21st century. With battered brains, it is becoming increasingly difficult for them to even begin to understand the innovations, science and technology of the modern times.

Or how do you explain that when Presidents Sassou Nguesso of Congo, Dos Santos of Angola and Theodoro Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea assumed power for the first time in 1979, Emmanuel Macron, the incoming President of France, was only two years old. While Emmanuel Macron is now 39 years old and the youngest President of France in modern history, these three African rulers are still in power, 37 years after, making Africa a laughing stock in the international community.

Denis Sassou Nguesso is a Congolese politician who has been the President of the Republic of the Congo since 1997. But he was previously President from 1979 to 1992. He is still in power today.

José Eduardo dos Santos is an Angolan politician who has been President of Angola since 1979. As President, José Eduardo dos Santos is also the commander in chief of the Angolan Armed Forces.

Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo is an Equatoguinean politician who has been President of Equatorial Guinea since 1979.

But that is not all. When President Paul Biya of Cameroon assumed office in 1982, Emmanuel Macron was only 5 years old. Mr. Biya is still in power, 35 years after. His country is battered by Boko Haram terrorists, national poverty and incomprehensible backwardness.

Paul Biya is a Cameroonian politician who has been the President of Cameroon since 6 November 1982.

But that’s not all. When President Mugabe of Zimbabwe assumed office in 1987, Macron was only 10 years old. Mugabe who is over 90 years old is still in power, 30 years after.

Robert Gabriel Mugabe is a Zimbabwean revolutionary and politician who has governed the Republic of Zimbabwe as its President since 1987, having previously governed as its Prime Minister from 1980 to 1987.

When President Idriss Deby Itno of Chad became President in 1990, Macron was only 13 years old. Mr. Deby remains in power.

Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is a Ugandan politician who has been president of Uganda since 29 January 1986.

He's ruled Uganda for 31 years. With five presidential terms in office, Yoweri Museveni is surrounded by controversies related to freedom of speech, human rights, allegations of nepotism, and even the killing of Ugandan citizens.

But President Museveni claims Uganda is one of the most democratic countries in the world and that he is leading his people out of poverty and to an even better future.

At 72, though, he's three years away from the constitutional age limit to serve as president. But there is already speculation he will try to change that limit so he can get around it. 

These African grandfathers would travel to France this year and the years to come to go and plead for assistance from their grandson.