Africa

Top 10 powerful opposition leaders in Africa

By Frank

Posted on October 22, 2020

Being an opposition leader in Africa, it is not a walk in the park. It takes heart and requires commitment for the position. In this article I am excited to list the top 10 powerful opposition leaders in Africa in 2020.

1. Bobi Wine- Uganda

Bobi Wine during Protest

Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, known by his stage name Bobi Wine, is a Ugandan musician and politician. He is the leader of People’s Power Movement and a major opposition figure to President Yoweri Museveni’s led government of Uganda.

Bobi Wine and Julius Mulema

2. Julius Malema-South Africa

Julius Malema

Julius Sello Malema is a South African Politician who is a member of Parliament and the leader of Economic Freedom Fighters, a South African party, which he founded in July 2013. He is a vocal opposition figure in South Africa against governments of the former President, Jacob Zuma and current President, Cyril Ramaphosa.

3. Diane Rwigara-Rwanda

Diane Shima Rwigara is a Rwandan businesswoman and women’s rights activist, who stood as a candidate in the Rwandan Presidential election as of 2017.

Diane is staunch critic of President Paul Kagame’s government and was jailed for over a year with her mother for charges Including inciting insurrection against the government of President Paul Kagame.

The International community condemned the arrest, and she was granted bail alongside her mother in October 2018.

4. John Mahama-Ghana

John Dramani Mahama is a politician from Ghana who served as President of Ghana from July 24, 2012, to January 7, 2017.

He previously served as Vice President of Ghana fro. January 2009 to July 2012 and took office as President in July 24 2012, following the death of his predecessor, John Atta Mills.

Mahama was confirmed as the candidate of the opposition National Democratic Congress to contest in the 2020 election against the current President, Nana Akufo-Addo who unseated him in 2016..

5. Riek Machar-South Sudan

Riek Machar

Riek Machar Teny Dhurgon is a politician who served as the Inaugural Vice President of South Sudan from it’s Independence in 2011 until his dismissal in 2013.

He now leads the faction opposing Salva Kiir known as SPLM-IO. Between April and July 2016 Machar served as the First Vice President of South Sudan.

According to reports, he has signed a power deal with President Salva kiir, which will lead to cease- fire and bring peace to South Sudan.

6. Maurice Kamto-Cameroon

Maurice Kamto is a Cameroonian politician; he is the founder of the MRC and a top opposition figure against the government of President Paul Biya. He was detained after organizing protests in January 2019 against the result of the 2018 Presidential election.

7. Martin Fayulu-DRC

Martin Madidi Fayulu is a businessman and law maker from the Democratic republic of Congo. He is the leader of the Engagement for Citizenship and Development party.

8. Raila Amollo Odinga-Kenya

Raila Odinga is a Kenyan Politician who served as Prime minister of Kenya from 2008 to 2013 and leader of opposition since 2013 to 2018.

9. Kizza Besigye-Uganda

Warren Kiza Besigye Kifefe

Warren Kiza Besigye Kifefe, known as Kizza Besigye, and also nicknamed Colonel is a Ugandan Physician, Politician and former military officer in the Ugandan People’s Defence Force.

He has been arrested numerous for various charges Including treason. According to reports he has joined forces with another popular opposition figure, Bobi Wine to contest against President Yoweri Museveni in the next Presidential elections.

10. Omoleye Sowore-Nigeria