Museveni: The New Number 3 Post-Mugabe
Two 1980s coup leaders move up the African strongman rankings with the removal of Mugabe from power.
November 26, 2017
1. With Robert Mugabe no longer in power in Zimbabwe, Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni is now the third-longest serving African leader.
2. Museveni led an armed rebellion that ultimately prevailed in January 1986 and effectively ended seven years of chaos in his country that had followed dictator Idi Amin’s downfall.
3. Today, Uganda has a population of 38 million people. They work overwhelmingly in farming, particularly for coffee exports.
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Museveni: The New Number 3 Post-Mugabe
4. Eco-tourism also plays an increasing role, with Uganda’s waterfalls and rivers (including the source of the Nile) as well as its wildlife preserves all being a major source of economic opportunities.
5. But the East African country’s economy remains hampered by poor domestic infrastructure and constant instability in neighboring Congo and South Sudan.
6. Uganda’s GDP per capita ranks 163rd, at just $2,100.
7. Next on the list after Museveni: Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir is now the fourth-longest serving African leader, excluding royalty.
8. Bashir originally took power in a military coup 28 years ago, in June 1989. Sudan is today home to 41 million people.
9. In April 2015, Bashir won a 4th election, in what was widely considered by European governments and the United States to be another rigged poll.
10. Sudan’s oil-rich economy has had to adjust to the separation from South Sudan, which had most of the oil fields. GDP per capita stands at $4,400 and ranks 136th.