Across the world, political families and ‘dynasties’ have played a significant role in shaping national leadership trajectories. In the United States, for instance, George W. Bush became the first modern president whose father, George H.W. Bush, had also held the American presidency. Notably, Bush Jr. served for longer than his father (The White House, n.d.). Earlier in American history, John Quincy Adams, the sixth president, was the son of the second president, John Adams. Similarly, in Asia, several female leaders—such as South Korea’s Park Geun-hye, the Philippines’ Corazon Aquino, and India’s Indira Gandhi—were daughters of former heads of state. In Pakistan, a rare reversal occurred when Asif Ali Zardari assumed the presidency following the assassination of his wife, Benazir Bhutto (BBC News, 2008).
Africa’s Legitimate Dynastic Successions
The above examples illustrate that political dynasties are not unique to Africa. In fact, some African political families have risen to power through legitimate and democratic processes. In Botswana, Kenya, and Mauritius, sons of founding leaders became heads of state after considerable intervals following their fathers’ tenures. President Ian Khama of Botswana was elected 27 years after his father, Seretse Khama, left office. Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya assumed power 34 years after his father, Jomo Kenyatta. In comparison, Navin Ramgoolam of Mauritius was elected 13 years after his father, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, stepped down (Africa Center for Strategic Studies, 2023). Ghana’s Nana Akufo-Addo also became President 45 years after his father, Edward Akufo-Addo, became the ceremonial President of the West African country in 1970 and served in that role until 1972. Malawi’s Peter Mutharika became president several years after the death of his brother, Bingu wa Mutharika, through a legitimate electoral process.
In each of these cases, the passage of time allowed the electorate to critically assess the legacy of the previous generation and make informed decisions. These transitions occurred under stable constitutional orders and through contested elections.
Africa’s Illegitimate Dynastic Successions
However, a more concerning trend is the entrenchment of political dynasties through unconstitutional or coercive means. These cases present significant risks to peace, democratic development, and security across the continent. The examples of Gabon, Togo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Equatorial Guinea, and others illustrate the destabilising potential of dynastic power transitions driven by personal or family ambition rather than the democratic will of the people. That is the focus of this article.
Case Studies of Dynastic Succession through Undemocratic Means
In Gabon, Ali Bongo Ondimba succeeded his father, Omar Bongo, who had ruled the country for over four decades. Ali’s rule ended abruptly in 2023 following a military coup staged just hours after a disputed election victory was announced. The coup ended a 56-year-long family rule, marked by allegations of corruption and economic mismanagement despite the country’s considerable oil wealth and a per capita GDP of $19,165 (World Bank, 2023). The Bongos’ long-standing control of the country exemplifies how dynastic rule can foster a climate of authoritarianism and elite capture (Al Jazeera, 2023).
Similarly, in Togo, Faure Gnassingbé took over from his father, Gnassingbé Eyadéma, in 2005 under highly contested circumstances. Eyadéma had ruled the country for 38 years. Faure’s accession was initially backed by the military and was followed by political violence and contested elections. Most recently, in June 2025, Faure was at the centre of renewed protests after constitutional reforms allegedly paved the way for him to extend his grip on power indefinitely. The violent suppression of the demonstrations, which resulted in multiple deaths and arrests, underscores the risks that dynastic politics pose to national stability (Human Rights Watch).
In the DRC, Joseph Kabila succeeded his father, Laurent-Désiré Kabila, after the latter’s assassination in 2001. Though initially welcomed, Joseph Kabila’s extended rule saw repeated delays in elections and widespread civil unrest (International Crisis Group, 2018).
In Equatorial Guinea, President Teodoro Obiang Nguema, who overthrew his uncle in a 1979 coup, has since positioned his son, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, as his likely successor by appointing him as vice president—a move interpreted as grooming for dynastic continuation.
Dynastic Political Scheming
Other African leaders have similarly placed family members in prominent government positions, seemingly in preparation for dynastic succession. In Congo-Brazzaville, President Denis Sassou-Nguesso’s son, Denis-Christel Sassou-Nguesso, holds significant cabinet roles. In Cameroon, President Paul Biya’s son, Franck Biya, is widely seen as a potential heir-apparent. Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni, in power since 1986, appointed his son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to lead the military, raising concerns about hereditary succession in disguise (AlJazeera, 2024).
Efforts to install spouses in positions of power have also failed, sometimes with destabilising consequences. Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe’s attempt to have his wife, Grace Mugabe, succeed him triggered internal conflicts within the ruling ZANU-PF party and eventually led to the 2017 coup. Similarly, in South Africa, former President Jacob Zuma’s efforts to influence the African National Congress (ANC) leadership race in favour of his ex-wife, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, proved unsuccessful and divisive.
How Dynastic Politics Threaten Democracy and Security
Political dynasties—especially those formed or sustained through undemocratic means—pose several threats to stability and democratic governance in Africa.
Undermining Democratic Processes
Dynastic regimes often manipulate electoral processes, restrict political participation, and suppress dissent. Such actions erode trust in institutions and alienate the populace, increasing the likelihood of unrest (Freedom House, 2023).
Exacerbating Inequality
When power is concentrated within a single family, it often results in unequal access to state resources. Dynastic regimes tend to benefit elite circles, heightening social and economic inequality and fostering resentment among the broader population (UNDP, 2022).
Facilitating Corruption
Corruption tends to flourish under dynastic leadership. Entrenched elites are more likely to misuse state resources to maintain their grip on power, and this lack of accountability weakens public trust in governance (Transparency International, 2023).
Restricting Political Competition
Dynasties often monopolise political space, discouraging the emergence of alternative voices and stifling innovation in leadership. This stasis leads to unresponsive governance and the perpetuation of inefficient or unjust policies (African Union, 2022).
Perpetuating Grievances
When political succession is perceived as nepotistic or ethnically biased, it can ignite ethnic or regional tensions. This is particularly dangerous in ethnically diverse societies where perceptions of exclusion can escalate into violent conflict (Brookings Institution, 2023).
Conclusion
Democracy is still in its infancy in Africa relative to the rest of the world. It is, therefore, a fragile institution on the continent and must be allowed to grow naturally and take strong roots. Meddling in its growth using illegitimate dynastic schemes, thus, threatens its entrenchment on the continent. For a select few families to arrogate the leadership of a country to themselves through illegitimate and undemocratic means is a recipe for tension, chaos, insecurity, corruption, conflict and inequality – all of which conspire to frustrate the very essence of the democracy being nurtured. While political dynasties are not unique to Africa, their impact on the continent’s democratic development and stability is especially profound when power is transferred through undemocratic means. Legitimate dynastic successions—such as those in Botswana, Kenya, or Mauritius—do not inherently pose a threat to democracy. However, cases like Gabon, Togo, and the DRC show how the manipulation of constitutions, national assemblies, and other state institutions, as well as the use of force to secure or maintain dynastic rule, can undermine governance, provoke civil unrest, and even trigger military interventions. Ultimately, the rise of dynastic politics, if unchecked, risks reversing hard-won democratic gains and exacerbating insecurity across the continent.
References
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