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A couple of months ago, I woke up to find a hilarious text message from my Aunt who was then in France telling me to be proud to be an African but not to grow up to be one of those �Lost Africans� she met in her home. Well I told her never to blame the people she met because the continent is full of corrupt leaders who have lost trust and respect from their followers. The debate continued even when she arrived home from France, so I prepared my own list of the top ten people I wish weren't Africans, to convince her not to hold blame against any African who does not want to associate him or herself with the continent. 10. LAURENT GBAGBO A history teacher by profession, he is also an amateur chemist and physicist. After almost 11 years in power, the next generation will only remember his selfish and greedy means of holding on to power even after the electoral commission declared him loser. In his last days in power, everybody even a 3 year old boy advised him to step aside but he decided to hold on to what he called the other name for God; �time�. For his punishment, least said the better; he was arrested one hot afternoon probably when he was dinning with his family or planning the next line of action. Unfortunately, he had to witness his wife allegedly raped by rebels. 9. EL HADJI DIOUF El Hadji Diouf used to be a star football player for Senegal....used to be. After a great showing at the 2002 World Cup, he has fallen off in a big way. He is now more famous for his off the field antics. When your Wikipedia page has a section devoted to 'Controversies', you know there's a problem. His transgressions include: -being convicted for driving without a license (after crashing the car) -spitting on fans and opposing players (yes it is disgusting and yes it has occurred multiple times) - and finally (and perhaps worst of all) insulting a ball boy and then lying about being racially abused by him. He recently accused the Senegalese Football Association of corruption. Well, after successes in his off the pitch antics and his big mouth insults, he stated he was the biggest player to ever don the colours of the Senegal national team. 8. IDDI DADA AMIN When a statesman is buried outside his country, and no one makes effort to bring the body to his country of birth, then you should know that there are many controversies surrounding him. In the beginning, Amin never wrote an autobiography nor did he authorise any officially written account of his life. Amin conferred to himself �His Excellency President for Life, Lord of the Beasts of the Earth and Fishes of the Sea��. The self acclaimed �Last King of Scotland's� rule was characterized by human rights abuse, ethnic persecution, nepotism, corruption, and gross economic mismanagement. In the end, he died from kidney failure after he ordered for the killing of about 500,000 people. 7. ISSA HAYATOU By now you must have noted that I personally dislike people who hold on to power for far too long. In November 2010 Issa Hayatou was alleged by the BBC to have taken bribes in the 1990s, regarding the awarding of World Cup television rights. The IOC has announced it will investigate him. For my fellow Africans who have short memories due to perhaps the heavy sun rays, the former Physical Education teacher, charged the Togolese government with interference in the Togolese Football Association's affairs when the team withdrew from the 2010 cup prior to its start. This was after the Togolese team was victimized in an armed attack while traveling to Angola by bus prior to the start of the African Cup, resulting in two deaths in the Togo delegation. This incident made then -Togolese captain Emmanuel Adebayor resign from the national team. 6. MUAMMAR AL-GADDAFI I'm sure Baba Gaddafi needs no introduction. I don't know a whole lot about Libyan history but I'm sure in his time he has done enough good things for his country to merit his popular support and set him apart as an upstanding African. However, the desert warrior makes my list because recently some of the things he says and does in public just make me want to hide my head in shame. For example; - He declared jihad on Switzerland and called for the nation to be 'abolished' - As part of his campaign to lead a united Africa he gathered a bunch of local rulers from around the continent and had them bestow on him the title of 'King of Kings'. - He suggested that Nigeria should be split in two to help solve its problems. Then of course, his ridiculous tents, his crazy family and the famous 100 minute UN speech (the limit was 15 minutes). And now, he is failing to surrender power after series of battle with rebels. We wait to see the future of Gaddafi�s Libya. 5. INTERNET SCAMMERS 419, Yahooze, Sakawa; whatever you call it, these people need to stop. In the last few weeks to some month I have received several messages from the Central Bank of Nigeria and Burkina Faso asking me to renew my account details. Not to mention the countless emails I have received from people related to deceased African President's who just need $5,000 dollars so they can claim their inheritance and send me $20,000 back. Talk about giving Africa bad name. As a result of their foolish activities, innocent Africans like me cannot register for World Bank loan (just kidding). 4. ROBERT MUGABE This list would not be complete without the great Uncle Bob. Enough has been said about this man that I don't think I would have much to add. I believe that Africa's problem is really a crisis of leadership so Uncle Bob makes this list, not just because he's Mugabe, but because he represents an entire crop of leaders on the continent that would go and cause trouble elsewhere. As the list below shows, in many ways Mr. Mugabe displays all the characteristics typical of poor African leaders. He has been stripped of all his honor and reputation. Well, I hear his attitude towards God and humanity changed after the death of his first Ghanaian wife. 3. Kasha Jacqueline Nabagesera Little is known about her until the Ugandan gay activist was given the prestigious Martin Ennals rights award as the �Most Inspiring People Delivering for Women". BBC reported that 10 organizations which make up the award jury said she was courageous and faced harassment because of her work. Well, she might be courageous but for me she is disgusting! I leave her with a prestigious award from 1 Corinthians 3:16"Don�t you know that you yourselves are God�s temple and that God�s Spirit lives in you?� 2. GNASSINGBE EYEDEMA Until his death, he was the longest serving African President, Eyadema installed himself as president on 14 April 1967 as well as Minister of National Defense, an office he assumed for 38 years. In addition, the date of a failed attempt on his life was annually commemorated as "the Feast of Victory over Forces of Evil. 1. Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab A.k.a the Christmas Day bomber s.k.a The Underwear Bomber. Basically, one day some overzealous young Nigerian man decided that he wanted the burning sensation in his underpants to be more than the desire in his loins and attempted to blow up a Northwest Airlines Flight headed to Detroit. He failed. Miserably. And as a result all Africans are terror suspects. I can't even pretend if I emphasize the fact that he's Nigerian and not Ghanaian I'll be fine because unfortunately, homeboy decided to swing through Accra on his journey to the United States. What hurts most about this case is that Umar is from a wealthy African home. Born in Nigeria, went to high school at the British School of Lome went to university in London, where he earned a mechanical engineering degree...did a Masters in Dubai and spent time in Yemen. Am still wondering what went wrong with this boy from such a wealthy African family.