Corruption is a conundrum that plagues all parts of the globe. On Dec. 10, 2019,  the Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives revealed two articles of impeachment against President Trump, essentially stating he abused his power and obstructed Congress.

“We must be clear: No one, not even the president, is above the law,” House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) stated, according to the Los Angeles Times.

If the leader of one of the world’s superpowers is taken to task for his actions, then what about the leaders of developing countries? 

With the Year of Return completed, there's been a major conversation about the state of tourism in Africa. Some are even making the bold step of relocating to the motherland. This has sparked conversations about the climate of politics, the status of everyday living in many countries within the continent, and how these factors affect the citizens of Africa. Would it be possible or feasible to sustain a suitable life in Africa?

It is possible, but can be challenging depending on the country one is moving to.

Many African countries are unfortunately plagued with issues like low-gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, depressing rates of unemployment and poor infrastructure to name a few. Some leaders have assisted the citizens of their nations by opting to cut their salaries or introducing initiatives in hopes of curbing some of the problems present in their respective countries. Notwithstanding, the vast majority of residents in African nations allege their presidents continue to misuse funds while they suffer due to unimaginable circumstances.

Here are five African countries with paradise potential whose power-hungry presidents won't let them be great.

1. Yoweri Museveni of Uganda

Yoweri Museveni is currently the president of Uganda, a country rich in copper, gold and edible oils, as well as a promising farming sector. Unfortunately, these minerals and the potential success of the farming industry isn't enough to generate a sustainable living for the residents of Uganda because government spending and public debt are at an all-time high.

Holding office since 1986, President Museveni shows no sign of letting his power go. At 75-years old, Museveni has reportedly eliminated presidential terms so that he can hold office for as long as possible without consequence. He has also extinguished the political aspirations of his naysayers, as in the case of politician and musician Bobbi Wine. Furthermore, according to the CIA World Factbook, violence incited by resistance groups in neighboring countries, healthcare deficiencies, stagnant economic growth, corruption, inadequate education and piss-poor infrastructure continue to plague Uganda.

2. Teodoro Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea

Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo has been the president of Equatorial Guinea since 1979. A glimmer of hope exists for Equatorial Guinea because it is one of sub-Saharan Africa’s top five oil producers. In 2017, the nation signed a preliminary deal with Ghana to sell liquified natural gas (LNG). The natural gas has the potential to provide high-scale investments which can mean huge revenues. In addition, it has extreme potential for growth in its uncharted mineral sector; the country is rich in diamonds, gold, zinc and columbite-tantalite. However, under Mbasogo’s regime, citizens have reportedly claimed he's conducted motiveless arrests, monopolized media outlets, spread propaganda and ordered government-sanctioned killings.

Although it is unclear what Mbasogo's net worth is, this hasn't stopped him from using government funds as his personal bank account. According to Forbes, in 2015, Mbasogo reportedly spent $3.5 million so that the country could be gaudily represented at the Brazilian carnival known as Beija-Flor. Meanwhile, citizens of Equatorial Guinea continue to suffer from systematic corruption, the effects of botched spending and a tyrannized regime.

3. Idriss Déby of Chad

Chad is rich in resources such as cotton, cattle, livestock, gum arabic and oil, yet the country continues to struggle.

President of Chad Idriss Dèby Itno has occupied this political seat since December 2, 1990. Like most of the previously mentioned leaders, he came into power after overthrowing his predecessor Hissène Habré: In 1989, Dèby formed a rebel group called the Patriotic Salvation Movement, and by 2010 Forbes regarded Chad as one of "the most corrupt nations in the world."  A 2013 Amnesty Report revealed Dèby was found to have intimidated political opposition, threatened journalists, violated the human rights of his constituents and done nothing to curb harsh prison conditions. Operation Cobra also reportedly uncovered around $50 million of embezzled funds from the Chadian government that same year. Government workers accused of stealing were found to have never been reprimanded, and in some cases promoted or transferred to other high-status positions. Also, residents of Chad continue to be displaced from their homes without due process. 

4. Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt

Bordered by Sudan, Libya, the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, the populous country of Egypt bridges the gap between Asia and the continent as the bedrock of the exchange of valuable goods such as cotton, oil and petroleum products. Then there is, of course, their major tourist attraction—the pyramids. The sixth and current president of Egypt, Abdel Fattah Saeed Hussein Khalil el-Sisi obtained the presidency after conducting a coup d’ état and ousting his predecessor Mohamed Morsi. Though el-Sisi was an accomplished military strategist who previously forfeited half of his salary to boost the Egyptian economy, approximately 2.21 million individuals in Egypt are currently unemployed, according to data by Trading Economics.

President el-Sisi has also been accused of enforcing violence and abusing Egyptian citizens. Under el-Sisi’s regime, opposers of the Egyptian president have also reportedly been unfairly arrested, virginity checks have been imposed upon captured female protesters, citizens have been executed after shabby court trials and individuals have been tortured. Also, independent organizations being banned from operating President el-Sisi’s administration was even blamed for the death of 638 protesters—594 of them being peaceful—in a 2013 raid on two camps housing Morsi supporters. According to the Associated Press, upwards of 3,994 demonstrators were injured.  

5. Patrice Guillaume Athanase Talon of Benin

Benin is known as one of the spearheaders in Africa for transitioning from dictatorship to democracy. However, President Patrice Guillaume Athanase Talon, the former businessman who became Benin’s eighth president on April 6, 2016, seemingly came to power via an unorthodox, undemocratic political climb. Though later pardoned, he reportedly went into self-imposed exile in 2012 after being accused of embezzling $20.1 million. That same year, he was reportedly connected to a murder plot hatched against his predecessor Thomas Boni Yayi.  

While revenues generated from Benin's exports, like ginned cotton, cotton cake, cotton seeds, cashew, shea butter, cooking oil and lumber, reportedly totaled up to $695.6 million in 2017, under President Talon, the West African country has continued to face systematic and economic challenges. A poorly regulated financial system and lack of accountability for how money is spent has made Benin especially ripe for drug trafficking. The country's infrastructure is degraded as well. While Talon’s personal net worth has not been clarified, according to Forbes, Benin’s GDP per capita is $800 with a GDP growth of 5.6 percent, and national debt topped at 55 percent.

Amid the Chaos, Is There Promise? 

According to a report by the World Bank Group, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana and Rwanda were among the nations with the fastest economic growth in 2019. The potential growth of Africa on a grand scale is encouraging, attracting some individuals to take a plunge into the unknown by either investing in the many revenue dense sectors or even relocating.

Still, there are issues that need to be addressed. Perhaps it's the mindset and political and economic structures of some leaders that will need to change, to allow adequate income to trickle down to those who need it most on the continent.

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