Safe Havens for the Corrupt? Why Africa Must Stop Sheltering Deposed Leaders

By Dr. Michael Omoruyi

When news broke that ousted Gabonese President Ali Bongo and his family had been granted exile in Angola, reactions across the continent were mixed—some viewed it as a humanitarian gesture, others as a betrayal of justice. But beneath the surface of diplomacy lies a troubling trend that continues to undermine Africa’s struggle against corruption: the political sanctuary of disgraced leaders.

In recent decades, Africa has witnessed numerous power shifts, many of them marred by allegations of embezzlement, money laundering, and state capture. Yet time and again, the very individuals accused of pillaging public wealth are granted refuge—not in distant lands, but within fellow African states.

This disturbing reality raises urgent questions: Can we truly fight corruption while protecting those who commit it?

A Continent Undermined by Contradictions

Africa has boldly declared its commitment to good governance through institutions like the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption. But when member states offer safe passage to fallen despots, they contradict the very ideals they espouse.

By harboring corrupt leaders, African nations send a dangerous message: accountability is negotiable, and justice can be delayed—or denied—if one wields enough power or influence.

Justice Is Not a Bargaining Chip

Ali Bongo, like many of his counterparts before him, stands accused of presiding over a regime rife with financial misconduct. His family’s reported detention and the shocking conditions they allegedly endured stirred public emotion, yet it does not erase the larger crime against the Gabonese people—the looting of national resources for personal enrichment.

Granting such individuals exile instead of trial rewards political survival over justice, creating a sanctuary system that shields the elite and frustrates anti-corruption crusaders.

Fueling the ‘Big Man’ Syndrome

By allowing deposed leaders to escape legal reckoning, African governments inadvertently entrench the very system they claim to oppose—the “Big Man” syndrome. This system glorifies power over principle, positioning leaders above the law and rendering institutions hollow.

How then do we explain to the ordinary African citizen that corruption will be punished when their corrupt presidents retire into luxury rather than the courtroom?

Exile Without Justice Is Impunity

To be clear, humanitarian concerns can—and should—guide transitional arrangements. But they must not come at the expense of justice. If exile is used, it must be conditional, time-bound, and subject to regional legal frameworks that ensure continued accountability.

Otherwise, these deals become state-sanctioned escape routes for the corrupt.

Africa Deserves Better

The true path to development, stability, and democracy lies in ending impunity, not relocating it. Africa must break the cycle of leaders looting with impunity, only to find protection from their neighbors. Our continent deserves better than a legacy of buried crimes and silent complicity.

If we are serious about building the “Africa We Want,” then no leader—past or present—should be above the law.

Dr. Michael Omoruyi is a public affairs analyst and contributing columnist to iNewsAfrica. He writes on governance, democracy, and institutional reform across the African continent.