From kidnappings, to attempted assassinations; believe it or not, being president is one of the most dangerous jobs on the planet.
In the US, one of every nine Presidents has been killed while in office. Since 1865, there have been attempts on the lives of one of every four Presidents and the successful assassination of one of every five.
Take also a quick look to the scandals around the France President Emmanuel Macrone. From being slapped by a mere civilian a few months back, on Monday afternoon, another unknown netizen embarassed the youthful head of state by throwing rotten eggs during a public gathering. There is no doubt, these are some of the reasons why some president’s have resolved not to compromise their secret service as detailed below.
During the last three decades, three attacks were made. While there are no official stats on the African head of states, that’s not to say they are any safer.
The most recent attempt was in July when a man armed with a knife attempted to assassinate the Malian president, Assimi Goita.
Goita was whisked away by his security detail, and later appeared on state TV to say he was doing “very well”.
This served if nothing else, as a crude reminder on the importance of a security detail for any head of state. Below, are the five most heavily guarded presidents on the continent.
- Paul Kagame- Rwanda
First on the list is Rwandan President and former military leader, Paul Kagame. President Kagame is considered to be one of Africa’s most beloved president; he is also one of its most protected presidents.
His presidential car is an Armored Range Rover sentinel which cost nearly R8 million, ( UGX 2 billion).
His motorcade is made of several security motorcycles, high-speed Mercedes Benz land Cruisers and security guards on both sides of his car and his side whenever he makes a public appearance.
4. Abdel Fattah- Egypt
Following the Egyptian Revolution of 1952, the president is also the supreme commander of the Armed Forces, and head of the executive branch of the Egyptian government.
President Fattah is one of the most protected presidents in Africa. He is protected by the Egyptian Republican Guard, a Division level command within the Egyptian Army, designed to be an armored division with the main responsibilities of defending the President of the Republic.
Out in the public has an armored S class Mercedes Benz, which is always accompanied by more than ten bodyguards.
In addition to this, his personal security detail is always accompanied by a high speed motorcade and armored land cruisers as support.
3. Uhuru Kenyatta- Kenya
Uhuru Kenyatta is a Kenyan politician who has served as the President of Kenya since 2013.
Kenyatta’s security detail consists of; an armored land cruiser, always accompanied by 10 motorcycles with high speed; several cars with high speed; Range Rover and an X class Mercedes Benz.
He is always accompanied by more than 10 security guards while going for a mission outside the country.
- Paul Biya- Cameroon
Paul Biya is a Cameroonian politician serving as the president of Cameroon since 1982.
He is the second-longest-ruling president in Africa, the longest-ruling non-royal leader in the world, and the oldest head-of-state in Africa.
President Biya also boasts one of the mightiest presidential protective duties in Africa. He rides in an armored range rover sentinel which costs $500,000 (UGX 1.8 Billion ).
His convoy comprises of high-speed land cruisers and Mercedes Benz S class. Out in public, his car is heavily guarded by a group of 8 specially selected bodyguards who run on foot at both sides of his car.
He is sometimes lead by a fleet of horses. Because of this, he is considered to be one of Africa’s most protected presidents.
- Alpha Condé- Guinea
Alpha Condé is a Guinean politician who served as the fourth president of Guinea from 2010 to 2021.
Until his overthrowing earlier this month, President Condé had what was best defined as the most powerful presidential protective unit in the continent.
The President’s security consisted of an armored Mercedes Benz he used for outdoor appearances, more than 10 high-speed motorcycles that precede his car in public, a High-speed land cruiser.
While in Public, his bodyguard entourage was made up of more than 20 bodyguards both on his national and international missions.
