Classification of African leaders’ riches: No smoke without fire

Take it or not, African leaders or better still, a chunk of them are wealthy; very wealthy. Either genuinely or by orthodox means, it makes no difference.

What makes the difference is to know how rich they were before ascending to power.

The stunning revelations made by an online news site last week and which later went viral on the internet and newspapers did not appear shocking to many observers; including myself.

Tell me, who in Cameroon did not know that President Biya is staggeringly rich? Or which Equato-Guinean does not know that their leader, Teodoro Obiang Nguema is appallingly wealthy?

The report may just have come in time to corroborate long-held speculations on the riches of the African dictators. Great thinkers propound that: “there is no smoke without fire.”

Some of the leaders have contested the research and corrections have been made. Though President Biya’s songbird came out the other day arguing that the news site, an American economic magazine, Forbes, purported to have published the classification has disclaimed the publication, reputable news website, cameroon-info.net has reiterated the existence of a classification of African leaders’ riches by richestlifestyle.com.

But what stroke me most was the status of the leaders; dictators in their numbers: Jose Eduardo dos Santos of Angola, 34 years in power with a net worth of $20 billion, Mohammed VI of Morocco, 15 years in power plus a net worth of $2.5 billion, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea, 34 years in power with an estimated wealth of $600 million, Paul Biya of Cameroon, 31 years in power with an estimated wealth of $200 million, King Mswati III of Swaziland, 28 years in power with a net worth $100 million, Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, 26 years in power with a net worth of $10 million.

Their staggering loot no doubt is justified by their extensive stay in power and their affluent life styles.. While some of them have successfully manoeuvred national constitutions to maintain grip on power, others like the Moroccan emir have eventually declared their countries kingdoms and established themselves as unchallengeable potentates. They make good use of their indubitable authority to reserve a quarter of the country’s riches in their private accounts.

When the news infested the media, Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan whose name was also initially introduced amongst the rich African leaders immediately retorted with a disclaimer. He spewed out venom and triggered hell to break loose. He challenged the website to show prove of their findings and threatened to follow them up. Consequently, the authors of the research hurriedly expunged Jonathan’s name from the list. They certainly were not sure of their findings on the Nigerian leader’s private wealth.

Just like Jonathan, President Biya who featured 5th in the ranking dispatched his usual advocate, sweet-talking communication minister, Tchiroma Issa to swing and grapple to water down the allegations of the US-based site. In his usual characteristic eloquence, the Garoua elite mounted the rostrum, ranted and babbled, describing the allegations as ‘false’ and denigrating.

But his bluster seemed to have fallen on deaf ears. The website stood its grounds and Mr. Biya’s name has remained on the list as fifth richest African leader. Their resolve to maintain Biya’s name on the list cannot be contested is evident of their firm confidence on the allegation of Biya’s riches.

For those who want proves, I do not stand a better position to furnish them with evidence; given that I am not the author of the allegations. But, can there be any smoke without fire?

Footnote: Those who visit or live in Yaounde should find time to make a trip to Rond Point Bastos. While there, turn westwards and face the American embassy and your eyes would have much to reveal.