Thread by @AfricaFactsZone

This a thread of African Presidents, who were overthrown in coups by their friends, loyalists or even relatives.

Thomas Sankara was Burkina Faso's President from 1983 - 1987. He refused aid, increased the literacy rate by 60% via Free Education, banned forced marriage & FGM. Vaccinated 2.5 million kids. His best friend, Blaise Compaore murdered him, buried him quietly & ruled for 27 years.

Sudan's former President Jafaar an-Nimiery, who ruled from 1969 to 1985, survived 22 coup attempts in 15 years.

The 23rd and successful attempt was plotted by his close friend and Defense Minister, Gen. Abdel Rahman Swar al-Dahab, who overthrew him on April 6, 1985.

The World's former Youngest President, Valentine Strasser, who became Sierra Leone's President in 1992 at the age of 25, was ousted by his Deputy Head of State, Julius Maada Bio in 1996 for neglect of soldiers and insecurity. He handed over to a civilian 2 months later.

Valentine Strasser was handcuffed at gunpoint by his own security men, and was flown into exile in a military helicopter to Conakry, Guinea.

Equatorial Guinea's first President Francisco Nguema murdered 400,000 Guineans including his relatives. He claimed he was the Only god. He was ousted & executed by his nephew, Teodoro Obiang Mbasogo, who's been President since 1979.

Teodoro's son, Teodorin is his Vice President.

Rwanda's first President, Grégoire Kayibanda and his wife were starved to death by his friend and Defense Minister, Juvénal Habyarimana, who overthrew him on July 5, 1973. They were kept in a secret location.

Habyarimana himself was later assassinated in a plane attack in 1994.

Laurent-Désiré Kabila, former President of DR Congo from 1997 to 2001, was assasinated by his bodyguard on January 16, 2001. His then 29-year-old, Joseph Kabila succeeded him. He was President from 2001 to 2019. He is now a Senator For Life and part of the Coalition Government.

Patrice Lumumba, DR Congo's first Prime Minister, was executed by Secretary of State, Mobutu Sese Seko.

President Kasa-Vubu watched & did nothing. This led to a Civil War. Kasa-Vubu made Mobutu a Lieutenant General for winning the war in 1965. Mobutu overthrew him 6 days later.

Patrice Lumumba was arrested, humiliated and executed 3 months after his rule. Mobutu Sese Seko did this on the order of USA and help of Belgium. Lumumba liberated DR Congo from Belgium. Mobutu ruled for 32 years (1965 - 1997).