With an extensive record of alleged human rights abuses, Kabila has been charged with violence against dissidents, use of child soldiers, embezzlement of foreign aid money, and countless other crimes during his leadership in the DRC. He also leads the Congolese army, which has been cited by the U.N. and dozens of human rights organizations for its history of rape and abusive practices.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame has a reputation for crushing dissidents within his country’s borders, turning Rwanda into a de facto one-party state. He is known to repress journalists and critics that defy him, and has allegedly ordered Rwandan troops to help Congolese rebel groups along the border with the DRC.
Mauritania’s leader since he led a coup in 2009, General Aziz is notorious for his poor record on human rights, including imprisonment of political opponents, unexplained disappearances, and instances of torture. Aziz has also been criticized for refusing to adequately address the issue of slavery within his country, one of the few remaining countries in the world with an enduring practice.
Despite the fact that the Obama administration condemned Museveni’s recent anti-homosexuality legislation, the Ugandan president was still invited to the summit. LGBT issues were barely touched on during the summit.
One of the longest-serving non-royal leaders in the world, President Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea has been in power since 1979. He is known to suppress freedom of the press and political opposition, and has made a habit of jailing and detaining dissidents. He maintains a lavish lifestyle from the oil wealth of Equatorial Guinea, despite the fact that the majority of people in the country live in abject poverty.
Though the Kenyan president was almost not invited to the summit, it was decided to extend Kenyatta an invitation due to his cooperation with the International Criminal Court over his role in the ethnic bloodshed that took place within his country between 2007 and 2008. He has also been the subject of several budget misconduct and corruption investigations in Kenya.
Though he did not attend, Angolan President Santos was invited to the summit. He has imposed 33 years of leadership without holding a proper election. He has been accused of violating electoral laws and ensuring unequal access to resources for political parties, allowing for his continued leadership. Angolan Vice President Manuel Vicente attended the summit.
Burkina Faso President Compaoré has been nailed in human rights reports for his restrictions on the press and his repression of the judiciary system, refusing to allow it to operate independently, Protesters and dissidents are often arrested and jailed without due process in the country. Compaoré has been in power for more than two decades, changing Burkina Faso’s constitution to allow him to extend him term limits.
Paul Biya, having served as the president of Cameroon since 1982, is widely suspected of having retained power through a series of irregular and allegedly fraudulent elections. His regime has authoritarian characteristics — Biya has sweeping executive and legislative powers, and essentially controls the judiciary. He’s often referred to as a dictator, with little freedom of press and commonplace jailing of opposition and critics.
Re-elected to office under contentious circumstances in 2002, and again in 2009, President Nguesso amassed a long list of human rights abuses during his leadership. Known for restricting freedom of the press and political opponents, Nguesso has also got a reputation for using state funds for his personal use, allegedly embezzling development aid marked for the people. Nguesso further consolidated his power following the 2009 election, when he eliminated the position of prime minister and struck down protest demonstrations forcefully with his police force.
