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Articles on Political dynasties

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Mokgweetsi Masisi being sworn in as the elected President of Botswana by Chief Justice Terrence Rannowane. With him is his wife Neo. Mmegi

How Masisi outsmarted Khama to take the reins in Botswana

The Khamas have dominated Botswana’s politics since the 1870s, but they are now a discredited, spent force.
Campaign ads for Ali Bongo in his successful 2009 bid to succeed his father as president of Gabon. The Bongo family has lead Gabon uninterrupted for over 50 years. Reuters/Daniel Magnowski

As its ruling dynasty withers, Gabon – a US ally and guardian of French influence in Africa – ponders its future

Gabon’s strongman president, Ali Bongo, is barely clinging to power after contested elections, a stroke and a coup attempt. The Bongo family has run this stable central African nation for 52 years.
Worldwide, 1 in 10 presidents and prime ministers has relatives who were already in politics. Europe and Latin America, both democratic regions, have the highest proportion of leaders who come from political families. Shutterstock

Dynasties still run the world

To reach the highest rungs of power, a new study shows, it really helps if your dad was president.

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