Joseph Kabila, D.R. Congo (43)
He became the president of the Democratic Republic of Congo in January 2001 after the assassination of his father Laurent Desire Kabila. By then, Joseph Kabila was only 29 years old, making him the youngest African president. Although many have questioned his style of leadership, Kabila has been re-elected for two consecutive terms and continues to rule months after the expiry of his second and final term, while the country waits to elect his successor.