4 African Opposition Leaders Who Have Declared Themselves President

In Africa, there have been four Opposition leaders who have declared themselves as presidents of their countries even with sitting presidents.

National Super Alliance Leader Raila Odinga will become the fifth opposition leader to declare himself president with his planned inauguration on Tuesday.

1. Etienne Tshisekedi

Democratic Republic of Congo’s Etienne Tshisekedi bid for the presidency is in many ways similar to Mr Odinga's. 

Both have been the longtime faces of the opposition in their countries under different regimes.

Mr Tshisekedi has been in the opposition under President Mobutu Sese Seko’s, Laurent Kabila then Joseph Kabila.

[caption caption="File image of Etienne Tshisekedi"][/caption]

Similarly, Mr Odinga has led the opposition under President Daniel Moi, Mwai Kibaki, currently during Uhuru Kenyatta's era.

They have both served as Prime Ministers and have boycotted elections.

During the 2006 elections, Mr Tshisekedi boycotted and went ahead to declare himself as president.

Later in 2011 after losing to Joseph Kabila, he organized his own inauguration at the Matyr stadium but later retreated to his home after police disrupted the ceremony.

He died in Brussels in February 2017.

2. Kizza Besigye

Four-time presidential candidate in Uganda Kizza Besigye declared himself president in 2016 after losing to President Yoweri Museveni in the February poll.

He was however arrested in May of the same year after taking his oath before Mr Museveni was sworn in.

He has been arraigned in court on charges of attempting to overthrow the government.

[caption caption="File image of Kizza Besigye"][/caption]

3. Jean Ping

Similarly, in Gabon, Opposition leader Jean Ping declared himself president and called for a recount of the vote.

A recount was carried out and confirmed incumbent President Ali Bongo's win in the polls.

However, Mr Ping maintained, “The whole world knows who is president of the Republic, it’s me Jean Ping.

[caption caption="File image of Jean Ping"][/caption]

4. Moshood Abiola

Nigeria's Moshood Abiola declared himself president after the military regime of Gen Sani Abacha overturned his election victory.

He went on a tour of Western countries seeking support to claim the presidency.

Before he could rightfully take the helm, he was arrested and charged with treason and later sentenced to four years in prison.

When he was released Mr Abiola met with a US delegation where he was served with tea. 

He allegedly collapsed and died after taking the tea.

 

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