Modern African History - Middle Africa and Southwest Africa Flashcards
Dictator and later emperor of the Central African Republic / Empire under the MESAN (Movement for the Social Evolution of Black Africa) party. He was cannibalistic and pals with French prez Valery Giscard D’Estaing.
Jean Bedel Bokassa (Bokassa I)
After ousting Milton Obote, this guy became a crazy Ugandan dictator, calling himself “King of Scotland” expelling Asians, and executed thousands of people through his misleadingly named “State Research Bureau.”
Idi Amin
Idi Amin invaded Nyerere’s Tanzania in this war, named after a region of Tanzania that protrudes North.
Kagera War
Benjamin Netanyahu’s brother was killed in this raid, nicknamed “Operation Thunderbolt,” meant to save Israeli hostages from a Ugandan airport. Idi Amin was furious over the success of this raid.
Raid on Entebbe Airport
Long-time dictator of Somalia. His war with Ethiopia over the Ethiopian controlled but ethnically Somalian Ogaden Region brought his regime down.
Siad Barre
Ongoing war pitting numerous groups against numerous other groups with no well-outlined sides. There’s Al-Shabaab (Al Qaeda affiliate group), UN peacekeepers, the ICU (Islamic Courts Union), and the Somali Government among others all involved.
Somali Civil War
Once Italian area north of Ethiopia which has been run by the left wing dictator Isaias Afwerki since it’s gained independence.
Eritrea
Once French area north of Ethiopia.
Djibouti
Second, current, and long-time leader of Cameroon. Succeeded Ahmadou Ahidjo after serving in the bureaucracy. Very controversial figure for his extreme wealth and authoritarianism.
Paul Biya
US-backed Chadian dictator for 8 years who was called “Africa’s Pinochet.” He rose to power after the overthrow of left wing dictator Francois Tombalbaye, and he won the Toyota War against Libya. He has been convicted of Crimes Against Humanity.
Hissene Habre (accented e - Habray)
In Sudanese history, there have been three major dictators. Name the first one. This man initially claimed he would only serve with emergency powers to protect the government, but after 6 years of dictatorial rule he was overthrown in 1964.
Ibrahmin Abboud
In Sudanese history, there have been three major dictators. Name the second one. This man was a communist and an Islamist who was eventually overthrown after conflict regarding the South.
Gaafar Nimeiry
In Sudanese history, there have been three major dictators. Name the third one. This man was an Islamist and a Darfur war criminal, he was ousted from power just last year (2019).
Omar-Al Bashir
Conflict where Omar-al-Bashir was accused of genocide against non-Arabs in a certain region, as they were the main supporters of the JEM (Justice and Equality Movement) and SLM (Sudan Liberation Movement) which had formed fight against anti-non-Arab rule in said region.
War in Darfur
Country in a civil war between Dinka Prez Salva Kiir and Nuer VP Riek Machar. Recently came to an end with a unity government (for now).
South Sudan Civil War
West African country in the region once called “The Slave Coast” formerly organized under the Kingdom of Dahomey before being colonized under the French Dahomey preiod.
Benin
Colonized by Germany, then by France, this nation was for a long while run by the dictator Gnassingbe Eyadema, with his son Faure Gnassingbe taking power upon his 2005 death.
Togo
Charismatic founding father of Ghana, as well as a communist, socialist, and African nationalist founder of the ideology of African Socialism. He was able to persuade governor general Andrea Arden-Clarke to grant Ghanaian independence, but he was overthrown by a military coup in 1966. He led the Convention People’s Party. This man is sometimes considered the most important leader in post-colonial Africa.
Kwame Nkrumah
Former-name of Ghana when it was a British colony.
Gold Coast
Revolutionary Thomas Sankara renamed Upper Volta this phrase, which means “Land of the Upright People” after seizing power from Jean-Baptiste Ouedraogo in a coup. Sankara was overthrown by associate Blaise Compaore in a 1987 coup, and Compaore ruled until 2014.
Burkina Faso
Name the two late 20th century dictators of Liberia. The first led a coup against True Whig Party leader William Tolbert, and the 2nd led ran on a slogan of “He killed my ma, he killed my pa, but still I’ll vote for him.”
Samuel Doe, Charles Taylor
Iron Lady of Liberia who was the first female head of state in African history. She is controversial - opponents accused her of nepotism while supporters praised her for empowerment. Also name her soccer star successor.
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and George Weah.
Originally lead by the Sage of Africa, sometimes known as the Grand Old Man of Africa, Felix Houphouet Boigny, later by Laurent Gbago who disputed an election won by his successor economist Alassane Ouattarra.
Ivory Coast
War during which a West African government fought the rebellious Revolutionary United Front (RUF) which infamously funded their efforts through blood diamonds mined by child soldiers.
Sierra Leone Civil War
Country for a while led by military dictator Lassana Conte, now led by Alpha Conde.
Guinea
This country, home to Goree Island, once the center of the Atlantic slave trade, was from independence until 2000 run by the centrist Parti Socialiste under founding father Leopold Senghor and his successor Abdou Diouf.
Senegal
Country whose founding father and first leader Dawda Jawara was deposed by 21 year military dicator Yahya Jammeh, a man accused of several corruption offenses as well as human rights violations.
The Gambia
