11 African leaders died in office between 2008 and 2012 compared to only three in the rest of the world.
Two of those African leaders, Guinea-Bissau’s Joao Bernardo Vieira and Libya’s Muammar al-Qaddafi, died under not so peaceful circumstances. But in 2012 alone, the presidents of Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, and Guinea-Bissau (a different president, Malam Bacai Sanhá) died in office of natural causes.
All had suffered from mysterious ailments and had denied rumors about their ill health prior to their deaths.
#11:. Levy Mwanawasa, 59
He was the president of Zambia till August 2008, when he died of a stroke.
#10:. Lansana Conte, 74
He was the president of Guinea till December 2008, when he died. His cause of death was not disclosed.
#9:. Joao Barnado Viera, 69
He was the president of Guinea Bissau till March 2009. He died in a bomb blast attack that was said to have been a retaliatory attack by soldiers.
#8:. Omar Bongo Ondimba, 73
He was the second president of Gabon and ruled till June 2009, when he died of a heart attack. He had ruled the country for 41 years by the time of his death.
#7:. Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, 58
He was the president of Nigeria who died in office in May 2010. His death was reported to have been as a result of a long battle with kidney and heart problems.
