It is not just an Africa problem.  It is the problem of the tyrant.  We can rehash their motives until the cows come home and yet accomplish nothing.  we are awash in modern European examples.  Read a few interesting books on history in Europe from the 100's to the 1800's.  What a wake up  call!  Tyranny and strong men all over the place!  All sorts.  Religion all sorts just convenient motives for misdeeds.

Identifying the problem as a regional characteristic misses the point.  It distances one from the problem; you now first have to get rid of the attitude before you can get down and dirty in solving it.  Snag.  We prefer to stay clean.