Independent Historian

David Zuber is a retired high school counselor and principal. He earned a Master’s Degree from the Centre of West African Studies at the University of Birmingham, England and a Master’s Degree in Psychology from Humboldt State University, Arcata, California. He has authored two books Behind the Mask: The British Cotton Growing Association 1902-1923 and An American Indian’s Encounter with the 1930s Judicial System. He resides near his birthplace in northern California.

Hamani Diori (1916-1989)

Hamani Diori was the first President of Niger. He was born June 6, 1916, in Soudoure, Niger, French West Africa. His father was a public health officer. After attending local schools, he went to the William Ponty Teacher Training College in Dakar, Senegal. After completing … Read MoreHamani Diori (1916-1989)

Philibert Tsiranana (1912-1978)

Philibert Tsiranana was the first president of the Malagasy Republic (now Madagascar). He was born on October 18, 1912, in Ambarikorano, Sofia Region, Madagascar. His parents were Madiomanana and Fisadoha Tsiranana. They were from the Tsimihety ethnic group and were cattle ranchers. As a young … Read MorePhilibert Tsiranana (1912-1978)

Paul Biya (1933- )

Paul Biya has been President of Cameroon since 1982. Biya was born on February 13, 1933, at Mvomeka’a, Meyomessala Subdivision, Dja-et-Lobo Division, South Region. He is the son of Etienne Mvondo Assam and Anastasie Eyenga Elle. Biya attended schools in Cameroon, graduating from the Lycee … Read MorePaul Biya (1933- )

Ahmed Ben Bella (1916-2012)

Ahmed Ben Bella was a leader of the Algerian War of Independence who became the first Prime Minister, and later, the first President of independent Algeria. Ben Bella was born in 1916 in Maghnia (Marnia), Oran, Algeria (then a French colony), the son of a … Read MoreAhmed Ben Bella (1916-2012)

Ismail Al-Azhari (1900-1969)

Ismail Al-Azhari was the first Prime Minister of independent Sudan from 1954 to 1956 and, also, served as President of Sudan from 1965 to 1969. Al-Azhari was born in Omdurman, Anglo-Egyptian Sudan on October 26, 1900. Anglo-Egyptian Sudan was a condominium, created by agreements concluded … Read MoreIsmail Al-Azhari (1900-1969)

Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno
(1984- )

Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno is the Chairman of the Transitional Military Council of Chad (de facto President). Déby is the son of the former President of Chad, Idriss Déby. He was born on April 4, 1984, in the capital city of N’Djamena and is known … Read MoreMahamat Idriss Déby Itno
(1984- )

Agostinho Neto (1922-1979)

Antonio Agostinho Neto, fondly honored by Angolans as the “Father of Modern Angola” served as the first president of independent Angola. Not only was he a remarkable politician, but Neto was also a noted physician and famous poet. Antonio Agostinho Neto was born on September … Read MoreAgostinho Neto (1922-1979)