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Africa is young. Why are its leaders so old?

By David E Kiwuwa

Updated 1435 GMT (2235 HKT) October 29, 2015

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Yoweri Museveni, President of Uganda, has been in power since 1986.
Photos: Africa's aging leaders
Yoweri Museveni, President of Uganda, has been in power since 1986.
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President of Zimbabwe Robert Mugabe is 91 years old, and gained power in 1987. His rule has been highly controversial. He once won the top prize in a lottery organized by a state-owned bank, among other things. His heir apparent is close ally and Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, nicknamed 'Crocodile'.
Photos: Africa's aging leaders
Robert Mugabe, 91 – President of Zimbabwe Robert Mugabe is 91 years old, and gained power in 1987. His rule has been highly controversial. He once won the top prize in a lottery organized by a state-owned bank, among other things. His heir apparent is close ally and Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, nicknamed 'Crocodile'.
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Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi is 88. His presidency follows a term as Prime Minister, a role he took following the revolution in the country which sparked the Arab Uprising across the Middle East.
Photos: Africa's aging leaders
Beji Caid Essebsi, 88 – Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi is 88. His presidency follows a term as Prime Minister, a role he took following the revolution in the country which sparked the Arab Uprising across the Middle East.
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Eighty-two year old Paul Biya has been Cameroon's president since 1982. He is seen as a particularly entrenched African leader, having survived a number of coup attempts.
Photos: Africa's aging leaders
Paul Biya, 82 – Eighty-two year old Paul Biya has been Cameroon's president since 1982. He is seen as a particularly entrenched African leader, having survived a number of coup attempts.
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Algeria's President Abdelaziz Bouteflika is 78. Having been in his position since 1999, he is currently in his fourth term. He also served a long tenure as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1963 to 1979.
Photos: Africa's aging leaders
Abdelaziz Bouteflika, 78 – Algeria's President Abdelaziz Bouteflika is 78. Having been in his position since 1999, he is currently in his fourth term. He also served a long tenure as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1963 to 1979.
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Alpha Conde is 77 years old and has been President of Guinea since December 2010, after many years spent in opposition. He survived an assassination attempt in 2011.
Photos: Africa's aging leaders
Alpha Conde, 77 – Alpha Conde is 77 years old and has been President of Guinea since December 2010, after many years spent in opposition. He survived an assassination attempt in 2011.
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Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is 76 years old and has been President of Liberia since 2006. She is the first democratically elected female head of state in Africa.