Robert Mugabe
Robert Mugabe has ruled Zimbabwe since the nation achieved independence in 1980. Over the course of more than 30 years as Prime Minister and then President, he and his Zimbabwe African National Union–Patriotic Front have violently repressed opposition and been more concerned about maintaining power than improving the well-being of the country's citizens. Despite strongman tactics, the people's discontent was made clear in 2008 when Morgan Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic Change received more votes than Mugabe did for President. Violence preceded the runoff, however, and Tsvangirai did not participate. Mugabe subsequently entered into a power-sharing deal with the opposition; he remained President, while Tsvangirai was made Prime Minister.