Here is the list of African leaders who succeeded their fathers. While six of them came to power immediately after their fathers’ death, those in Kenya, Mauritius and Bostwana came years after their parents left power.
Faure Gnassingbé Eyadema – Togo
Faure became Togo’s President in 2005 after the death of his father, Gnassingbé Eyadema, who was President from 1967 to 2005.
Faure became president at the age of 39. He is still in power.
Joseph Kabila – DRC
Joseph succeeded his father Lawrence Kabila on January 16, 2001. He was 30 years old when he was sworn-in 10 days after the assassination of his father. Joseph ruled DRC till 2019.
Ali Bongo – Gabon
Ali became the country’s ruler in 2009 after his father, Omar Bongo Ondimba’s death. His father was elected president in 1967.
The family has ruled the country for over 86 percent of its post-independence history (1967-2009 and 2009-2021). Ali is still in power.
Mahamat Deby Itno – Chad
Mahamat, 37, succeeded his father Idriss Deby Itno who died Tuesday from gun wounds sustained in the frontlines with the battle with rebels on April 20, 2021.
Deby died at the age of 68, after ruling the country for 31 years.
King Mohammed VI of Morocco
He belongs to the Alaouite dynasty and ascended to the throne on 23 July 1999, at the age of 36, upon the death of his father, King Hassan II. He has been on the throne since then.
Ian Khama – Botswana
Ian was elected president 27 years after his father, Sir Seretse Khama (1 July 1921 – 13 July 1980), who was the country’s foremost independence leader and president from 1966 to 1980.
Ian, the second son of his parents, became President of Botswana at the age of 55.
Uhuru Kenyatta – Kenya
Uhuru was elected 34 years after his father, Jomo Kenyatta, Kenya’s first president.
Uhuru, born 26 October 1961, became president of the country April 9, 2013.
Navin Ramgoolam – Mauritius
Navin was elected 13 years after his father Dr. Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, the 6th Governor – General of Mauritius.
He served as Prime Minister from December 1995 to 2014.
Mswati III – Eswatini
Mswatti III was crowned king on 25 April 1986, aged 18 years. He succeeded his father King Sobhuza II, who died on 21 August 1982, after ruling the kingdom for 82 years.