President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko 30 years ago officially became the leader of his country for the first time. The politician began as a democratic president and a fighter against corruption. However, 30 years have passed, and corruption is only thriving, authoritarianism with elements of show reigns. Those who are dissatisfied usually end up in the police station.
With the repressions against the opposition and the falsification of elections, Lukashenko found himself under EU and US sanctions. But Lukashenko successfully holds on to the chair, which not all of his fellow dictators have succeeded in doing. He has been in charge for 6 years longer than Saddam Hussein (ruled Iraq for 24 years) and the Romanian Nicolae Ceausescu (who also lasted 24 years).
However, Lukashenko still has “prospects” if you look at the fate of Muammar Gaddafi, who ruled his country for 42 years. The Libyan dictator was torn apart by rebels seeking revenge for the suppression of the uprisings. Attempts at protests take place in Belarus from time to time, the last ones were in 2020.
Considering this round date of Lukashenko's reign, the editors have collected the stories of five dictators who ruled for more than thirty years and ended badly.
Muammar Gaddafi
How many years he ruled the country: 42 (1969-2011)
How he finished: he was executed for three hours, and then the corpse was put out for examination.
Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi at the beginning of his reign was involved in social problems, medicine and the development of his country. However, after a while he “blows the roof off.” RAF and IRA fighters trained in Libya. High-profile terrorist attacks in Libya led to the bombing of the country in 1986 and the imposition of sanctions in 1990.
Gaddafi was accused of torturing political opponents. And during the suppression of the uprisings in 2011, hundreds of people died. Under the pretext of protecting civilians, NATO intervenes in the conflict. During one of the air raids, Gaddafi's convoy comes under attack.
The rebels captured Gaddafi wounded and massacred him; they tortured him for three hours: they poured salt and sand into his wounds and dragged him alive in a car around the city. The dead body was then put on display in an industrial refrigerator.
Alfredo Stroessner
How many years he ruled the country: 35 (1954-1989)
How he ended: Died in exile in Brazil in 2006.
Military officer Alfredo Stroessner came to power in Paraguay in 1954 in a coup. He ruled the country as a dictator for 35 years until 1989. His rule was characterized by brutal repression, corruption and human rights violations. Hijacking and police brutality became hallmarks of his regime
Washington tolerated his rule because of his anti-communism. Stroessner was removed in February 1989 by generals who feared that Stroessner's cocaine-addicted son would inherit power. Died in exile in Brazil in 2006.
Mobutu Sese Seko
How many years he ruled the country: 32 (1965-1997)
How he ended: Died of prostate cancer in exile.
African dictator Mobutu Sese Seko came to power in Congo after populist leftist leader Patrice Lumumba. Renamed the former Belgian colony Zaire and banned Christian names, European suits and miniskirts.
Mobutu led the country for nearly four decades despite abuses, corruption and human rights violations. I was able to receive US assistance all this time.
It took civil conflict and the victory of armies loyal to Laurent Kabylie to overthrow Mobutu in 1997. Shortly afterwards he died of prostate cancer in exile in Morocco.
Idriss Debi
How many years he ruled the country: 31 (1990-2021)
How he finished: died from wounds on the battlefield with the rebels.
Idriss Déby gained power in Chad in a coup d'état in 1990, overthrowing dictator Guissène Gabré (who himself came to power through a rebellion).
Idris promised democratic reforms, but created another authoritarian regime. He was killed shortly after winning the presidential election. Aware of the results, Déby went to the front lines as FACT rebel coalition forces entered Chad from Libya on April 11, likely with the goal of overthrowing him. Killed in battles with the rebels.
Joseph Stalin
How many years was in power: 30 (1922-1953)
How he ended: he died in his office, no one helped him, because the guards were afraid to even knock on the door.
Joseph Stalin was a bloody dictator who carried out several genocides, mass executions, deportations, and repressions. Political murders even affected the immediate environment.
Considering that he was an extremely unpleasant person, at the most critical moment Stalin was left without help. Stalin did not leave the room all day, which made the guards worry. But they didn’t dare look into the leader’s bedroom.
A reason to go into the leader’s room was found around ten in the evening - business mail had been delivered, and it had to be delivered personally. One of the guards entered the room and found Stalin on the floor.
