Africa is young. Why are its leaders so old?

By David E Kiwuwa

Updated 1435 GMT (2235 HKT) October 29, 2015

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.
Photos: Africa's aging leaders
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, 76 – 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.
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Hage Geingob, 74, is the third president of Namibia. After serving as Prime Minister of the country for 12 years he became President in March 2015.
Photos: Africa's aging leaders
Hage Geingob, 74 – Hage Geingob, 74, is the third president of Namibia. After serving as Prime Minister of the country for 12 years he became President in March 2015.
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Jacob Zuma,73, became President of South Africa in 2009 and was re-elected in 2014. He was involved with the African National Congress party from a young age, joining in 1959.
Photos: Africa's aging leaders
Jacob Zuma,73 – Jacob Zuma,73, became President of South Africa in 2009 and was re-elected in 2014. He was involved with the African National Congress party from a young age, joining in 1959.
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President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo has ruled Equatorial Guinea since 1979. He is 73 years old. He has also faced allegations of corruption, particularly in relations to the country's oil resources. He won the last elections in 2009 with over 95% of the vote. His son, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, is Vice President, and is thought to be his favored successor.<br />
Photos: Africa's aging leaders
Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, 73 – President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo has ruled Equatorial Guinea since 1979. He is 73 years old. He has also faced allegations of corruption, particularly in relations to the country's oil resources. He won the last elections in 2009 with over 95% of the vote. His son, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, is Vice President, and is thought to be his favored successor.
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