7. Mobutu Sese Seko: King of Zaire
For more than three decades, Mobutu Sese Seko ruled Zaire with an iron fist, enriching himself as the nation languished in poverty. Driven by Cold War competition, the U.S. provided Mobutu with significant aid and political backing, valuing him as a steadfast anti-communist force in central Africa. As reported by the Washington Post, this alliance persisted despite glaring corruption and oppression, exposing the costs of prioritizing ideological loyalty over democratic ideals.
