The countries bellow  reflect a broad range of authoritarian governance models in Africa, where entrenched rulers maintain control through both formal and informal means. While some nations have experienced coups or military interventions, others, such as Senegal or Ghana, have managed to avoid coups but still exhibit elements of authoritarian governance in terms of restricting political freedoms. The common challenges across these regimes include political repression, corruption, economic mismanagement, and an inability to fully address poverty and inequality.

1. Angola

• Ruler: João Lourenço (President since 2017)
• Political Regime: Formerly ruled by the MPLA (People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola) under José Eduardo dos Santos, Angola has a history of one-party dominance. Lourenço succeeded dos Santos after nearly four decades of his rule, but the regime remains highly centralized, with control over key political, military, and economic sectors.
• Coup d'etats: No recent coups, but Lourenço has faced internal factional challenges within the ruling party.
• Economic Issues: Angola, a major oil producer, suffers from economic instability due to fluctuating oil prices, mismanagement, and corruption. Poverty and high unemployment remain prevalent despite vast natural resources.

2. Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

• Ruler: Félix Tshisekedi (President since 2019)
• Political Regime: The DRC has a long history of authoritarian rule, most notably under Mobutu Sese Seko, who ruled from 1965 to 1997. While Tshisekedi's presidency marks a shift towards greater political pluralism, the country remains deeply unstable with military influence, and opposition parties often face repression.
• Coup d'etats: Several coups in the 1960s and 1997, with Mobutu's regime being toppled by Laurent-Désiré Kabila. The country remains prone to armed insurgencies and political instability.
• Economic Issues: Despite vast mineral wealth, the DRC faces extreme poverty, corruption, and a lack of infrastructure. Ongoing conflicts in eastern DRC also hamper economic development.

3. Rwanda

• Ruler: Paul Kagame (President since 2000)
• Political Regime: Kagame’s government is often described as a "benevolent dictatorship," combining economic growth and development with political repression. He has maintained tight control over the country, especially through limiting political opposition and press freedoms. Kagame's rule is marked by the post-genocide reconstruction of the country but also by the suppression of dissent.
• Coup d'etats: Rwanda has not experienced a coup during Kagame’s tenure, but the country’s history includes the infamous 1994 genocide, and Kagame's rise to power came through military victory rather than electoral legitimacy.
• Economic Issues: Rwanda’s economy has seen significant growth, especially in technology and tourism. However, the country faces challenges related to human rights, political freedoms, and a dependency on international aid.

4. Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire)

• Ruler: Alassane Ouattara (President since 2011)
• Political Regime: Ouattara took power after a violent post-election crisis in 2010-2011 when then-President Laurent Gbagbo refused to concede after losing the election. While Ouattara has overseen a period of economic growth, his government is accused of being authoritarian, especially regarding political opposition and press freedoms.
• Coup d'etats: The country has experienced multiple coups, notably in 1999 and 2002. The 2010 post-election crisis almost resulted in another coup.
• Economic Issues: Ivory Coast is one of Africa's largest economies, driven by cocoa and coffee exports. However, wealth distribution remains uneven, and there are continued issues related to political instability, corruption, and unemployment.

5. Senegal

• Ruler: Macky Sall (President since 2012)
• Political Regime: Senegal is often cited as one of Africa's more stable democracies. However, recent criticisms have emerged regarding increasing authoritarianism, with Sall’s extended term and suppression of political opposition. Despite this, Senegal maintains a relatively free press compared to other African countries.
• Coup d'etats: Senegal has never experienced a coup since its independence, and it is considered a stable democracy in the region.
• Economic Issues: Senegal is one of West Africa’s more prosperous countries, with growing sectors in agriculture, tourism, and infrastructure. However, poverty, unemployment, and regional inequality remain significant challenges.

6. Uganda

• Ruler: Yoweri Museveni (President since 1986)
• Political Regime: Museveni has been in power for over three decades, with a government often accused of being authoritarian. Political opposition is restricted, media freedoms are limited, and opposition leaders face harassment. Museveni justifies his long rule through stability and economic growth.
• Coup d'etats: Museveni came to power through a coup in 1986 and has since been accused of suppressing opposition and extending his rule through constitutional amendments.
• Economic Issues: While Uganda has seen some growth, corruption, unemployment, and poverty remain widespread, particularly in rural areas.

7. Zimbabwe

• Ruler: Emmerson Mnangagwa (President since 2017)
• Political Regime: Mnangagwa took over from Robert Mugabe after a military-led coup. His leadership has been marked by continued political repression and economic instability, despite attempts to re-engage with the international community.
• Coup d'etats: Mugabe was ousted in a military coup in 2017 after 37 years in power.
• Economic Issues: Zimbabwe’s economy is plagued by hyperinflation, unemployment, and poverty. The country also faces severe shortages of basic goods and services due to the collapse of its currency and economic mismanagement.

8. Togo

• Ruler: Faure Gnassingbé (President since 2005)
• Political Regime: Faure Gnassingbé has maintained an authoritarian regime in Togo, following the death of his father, who ruled the country for 38 years. Political opposition is heavily restricted, and elections are often seen as manipulated to ensure the ruling family’s continued control.
• Coup d'etats: Togo has experienced several coups, but the Gnassingbé family has maintained power since 1967.
• Economic Issues: Togo is one of the poorer countries in West Africa, with significant issues in education, healthcare, and infrastructure. However, the country’s economy is driven by agriculture, phosphate mining, and trade.

9. Burundi

• Ruler: Évariste Ndayishimiye (President since 2020)
• Political Regime: Burundi has a history of authoritarian rule, marked by ethnic conflicts and military control. Ndayishimiye’s government continues to suppress opposition and limit press freedoms.
• Coup d'etats: The country saw a failed coup attempt in 2015 when then-President Pierre Nkurunziza sought to extend his rule beyond constitutional limits, sparking violence.
• Economic Issues: Burundi remains one of the poorest countries in the world, with limited infrastructure, heavy reliance on agriculture, and widespread poverty.

10. Cameroon

• Ruler: Paul Biya (President since 1982)
• Political Regime: Biya is one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders, and his government is considered highly autocratic, with power concentrated in his hands. Opposition parties are often restricted, and political dissent is suppressed.
• Coup d'etats: Cameroon has avoided formal coups but has faced significant unrest and repression, particularly in the Anglophone regions.
• Economic Issues: Cameroon has significant natural resources, but economic inequality, corruption, and unemployment remain pressing issues. Political instability in the Anglophone regions has further hindered development.

11. South Sudan

• Ruler: Salva Kiir Mayardit (President since 2011)
• Political Regime: South Sudan gained independence in 2011, but the country has been embroiled in a civil war that began in 2013 and ended with a peace agreement in 2018. Kiir's government has been accused of human rights abuses, corruption, and authoritarianism. The political climate is heavily influenced by ethnic divisions and military rule.
• Coup d'etats: While there hasn't been a formal coup, Kiir’s leadership has faced significant opposition and armed resistance, leading to a violent internal conflict.
• Economic Issues: South Sudan's economy is heavily reliant on oil exports, which has left the country vulnerable to fluctuations in global oil prices. The ongoing conflict has devastated infrastructure, leading to extreme poverty, displacement, and a humanitarian crisis.

12. Somalia

• Ruler: Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (President since 2022)
• Political Regime: Somalia has faced decades of instability following the collapse of its central government in 1991. Although Mohamud's administration has been working to stabilize the country, the central government’s control is often undermined by militant groups, including Al-Shabaab. While there is an elected government, it struggles with corruption, weak institutions, and limited territorial control.
• Coup d'etats: Somalia has a long history of coups and civil unrest, particularly the coup in 1969 which established a military dictatorship under Siad Barre.
• Economic Issues: Somalia’s economy is deeply impacted by conflict, limited infrastructure, and humanitarian crises. Livestock and agriculture are central to the economy, but insecurity hampers growth. The country also faces high levels of poverty and unemployment.

13. Gabon

• Ruler: Ali Bongo Ondimba (President since 2009)
• Political Regime: Bongo's presidency follows the long reign of his father, Omar Bongo, who ruled for over four decades. The Bongo family has maintained a tight grip on political and economic power, with the regime often accused of suppressing opposition and curbing freedoms. After Ali Bongo's contested re-election in 2016, there were protests and allegations of electoral fraud.
• Coup d'etats: In 2019, there was an attempted coup, but the Bongo regime remains in power.
• Economic Issues: Gabon is an oil-rich country, but its wealth is not equitably distributed, with high levels of poverty despite the nation’s significant natural resources. Economic reliance on oil, corruption, and limited diversification pose ongoing challenges.

14. Tanzania

• Ruler: Samia Suluhu Hassan (President since 2021)
• Political Regime: Under the late John Magufuli, Tanzania was increasingly seen as an authoritarian state, with the president curtailing political freedoms, press freedoms, and silencing opposition. Magufuli’s sudden death in 2021 brought Hassan to power, and while she has signaled some openness and changes, the political climate remains influenced by the legacy of autocratic governance.
• Coup d'etats: No coups in recent history, but Magufuli's rule was marked by the stifling of opposition and criticisms of human rights abuses.
• Economic Issues: Tanzania has experienced growth in sectors like agriculture, mining, and services. However, high unemployment, poverty, and challenges in education and healthcare persist, and there are concerns about corruption and state control over key industries.

15. Burkina Faso

• Ruler: Capt. Ibrahim Traoré (since September 2022 following a military coup)
• Political Regime: Burkina Faso experienced two military coups in 2022, the first of which ousted elected President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré. The second coup was led by Ibrahim Traoré, who cited the failure to address Islamist insurgencies as the reason for the takeover. The military junta has promised reforms but has faced criticism over its authoritarian tendencies and crackdown on dissent.
• Coup d'etats: Burkina Faso has witnessed several coups, including in 1987 when Thomas Sankara, a revolutionary leader, was overthrown and killed.
• Economic Issues: Burkina Faso faces significant economic difficulties, exacerbated by internal conflict, political instability, and the effects of regional terrorism. The economy is primarily based on agriculture, but insecurity and limited infrastructure hinder growth and development.

16. Mali

• Ruler: Assimi Goïta (President since 2021)
• Political Regime: Mali has experienced a series of military coups, with Goïta assuming power after the overthrow of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta in 2020. Although a transitional government was set up, the military junta continued to dominate politics. Goïta’s regime has been marked by increasing authoritarianism, limited civil liberties, and a reliance on military governance.
• Coup d'etats: Mali has experienced multiple coups, including one in 2012, and again in 2020 and 2021. The military has largely overshadowed the elected government in recent years.
• Economic Issues: Mali is one of the world’s poorest countries, heavily reliant on agriculture, particularly cotton and gold. Political instability, conflict, and the growing presence of militant groups in the northern regions have devastated the economy, leading to high levels of poverty and displacement.

17. Ghana

• Ruler: Nana Akufo-Addo (President since 2017)
• Political Regime: Ghana is generally considered one of the more stable democracies in West Africa, with regular elections and peaceful transitions of power. However, Akufo-Addo’s government has faced criticism in recent years for cracking down on opposition voices, particularly in the context of economic issues and protests.
• Coup d'etats: Ghana has had a history of military coups, but in recent decades, it has transitioned to civilian rule and has held regular elections.
• Economic Issues: Ghana faces significant economic challenges, including a rising public debt, high inflation, and currency depreciation. Despite strong sectors in gold, cocoa, and oil, economic inequality and unemployment remain pressing issues.

18. Ethiopia

• Ruler: Abiy Ahmed (Prime Minister since 2018)
• Political Regime: Abiy Ahmed initially garnered international praise for his reformist policies and efforts to make peace with Eritrea, but his rule has since been marred by internal conflict. The Tigray War (2020-2022) exposed the authoritarian nature of the regime, with widespread human rights abuses and military repression. Abiy's leadership has increasingly focused on consolidating power, with opposition figures suppressed.
• Coup d'etats: There hasn’t been a formal coup in recent years, but the Tigray conflict and internal political unrest have placed the regime under pressure.
• Economic Issues: Ethiopia’s economy has been growing in recent years, with infrastructure development and manufacturing investments. However, the civil war, economic sanctions, and internal displacement have greatly hindered economic growth and development.

19. Egypt

• Ruler: Abdel Fattah el-Sisi (President since 2014)
• Political Regime: After the 2011 revolution ousted long-time president Hosni Mubarak, Egypt transitioned briefly to democratic rule before Sisi’s 2013 military coup removed then-President Mohamed Morsi. Sisi’s regime is marked by heavy authoritarianism, repression of political opposition, and restrictions on press freedoms and civil society.
• Coup d'etats: Sisi’s rise to power came through a military coup, and he has used military support to maintain control.
• Economic Issues: Egypt faces significant economic challenges, including inflation, unemployment, and debt. While it has experienced growth in sectors like tourism, the country remains reliant on foreign aid and debt, with inequality and poverty widespread.

20. Zimbabwe

• Ruler: Emmerson Mnangagwa (President since 2017)
• Political Regime: Mnangagwa took power following a military coup that ousted long-time ruler Robert Mugabe. Despite promises of reform, Mnangagwa’s government has continued many of the repressive policies of the Mugabe era, including crackdowns on opposition parties and civil society.
• Coup d'etats: Mnangagwa’s rise to power followed a military coup in 2017, ending Mugabe’s 37-year rule.
• Economic Issues: Zimbabwe’s economy is in a deep crisis, with high inflation, currency devaluation, and unemployment. The country’s economic collapse is largely attributed to mismanagement, corruption, and land reform policies under Mugabe.