In the African political theater, the curtain never really falls for former heads of state. An investigation reveals the tumultuous destiny of these men who held the reins of power.
From the cell to the gilded salon, via forced exile, the post-presidential journey takes winding paths. Former Liberian leader Charles Taylor is counting down his days in an English prison, while Sudan’s Omar al-Bashir remains under close surveillance in Khartoum.
For others, like Mohamed Bazoum from Niger or Ali Bongo from Gabon, the presidential palace has turned into a gilded cage. House arrest: a political retirement under constraint.
Exile, the ultimate escape for some, becomes second nature. From Yahya Jammeh in Equatorial Guinea to Alpha Condé in Türkiye, the geography of disgrace extends across several continents.
This waltz of presidential destinies illustrates the precariousness of power in Africa. Between coups, legal proceedings and turbulent transitions, the presidential chair increasingly resembles an ejection seat.
