Throughout Africa’s post-independence history, political instability and military coups have led to the tragic assassinations of several sitting presidents.
These leaders, despite holding the highest office, became victims of political violence, often amid turbulent national circumstances.
Here are seven (7) African presidents who were assassinated while in office:
Sylvanus Olympio holds the grim distinction of being the first African president assassinated during a military coup.
His death in 1963 marked the first coup d’état in newly independent African nations formerly under French and British colonial rule.
Olympio, a nationalist politician and Togo’s first president, also served as Prime Minister and held various ministerial roles, including Finance, Foreign Affairs, and Justice.
In the early hours of 13 January 1963, he and his wife were awoken by soldiers who broke into their residence.
Before dawn, his body was found just three feet from the entrance of the U.S. Embassy by Ambassador Leon B. Poullada.
On 15 October 1969, while on an official visit to the northern town of Las Anod, President Sharmarke was shot dead by one of his own bodyguards.
The officer, on duty outside the guest house where Sharmarke was staying, fired an automatic rifle at close range, killing him instantly.
