Being in the opposition in a continent rife with cases of human rights abuses is no walk in the park.

Even with a new crop of youthful African Presidents, the script seems to be same: beat the living daylights out of the opposition until they toe the line. This is a running theme in third world countries that seemingly will not dissipate anytime soon. Here is a list of the most powerful opposition leaders who have continued to defy the powers that be.

Raila Amolo Odinga - Kenya Opposition Leader

He is arguably one of the most visible opposition leaders who enjoys near fanatical following in most regions of Kenya. Raila Odinga has for a long time been the poster boy of opposition politics in Kenya and Africa by extension since the 80’s. His attempts to overthrow President Daniel Arap Moi in 1982 landed him in detention for six years.

Raila served as MP for Kibra before joining his former ‘tormentor’ Daniel arap Moi to serve in his government as Minister of Energy in 2001. Agwambo, as the doyen of Kenyan opposition is popularly known, instigated an internal rebellion that caused Key leaders to ditch Moi and form the Rainbow Coalition.

Raila, who served as Kenya second Prime Minister, led a countrywide crusade in Kenya to demand the ouster of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commissions (IEBC) commissioners accusing them of being biased.

Read: Raila Odinga's profile

Raila has unearthed mega corruption dealings worth billions of shillings. Some countries, like Ghana, have their citizens subscribing to Raila's political outfit Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). He is the National Super Alliance (NASA) flagbearer.

Julius Malema - South Africa

At only 35 years, Julius Malema is carving a niche for himself as a fearless opposition leader in South Africa. Malema has made a number of enemies who include Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai after he accused him of sleeping with imperialist.

He has been charged with hate speech after he called for the shooting of “Dubula iBunu" ("Shoot the Boer"). Malema is propagating the seizure of land owned by whites. He was expelled from ANC before forming the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).

Kizza Besigye - Uganda

Strongman Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is not about to let go the levers of power anytime soon. One man has, however, differed with Museveni and paid dearly in the process. Kizza Besigye has been subjected to numerous house arrests and was remanded in Moroto where he faced treason charges.

Dr Kizza was ‘sworn’ in a day before Museveni was to be inaugurated as the President of Uganda. The opposition chief has accused the NRM of rigging the elections in favor of Museveni.

Mohammed Morsi, Former President – Egypt

The former Egyptian President is a force to reckon with even after being thrown out of office in a coup orchestrated by the country’s army.

Although Morsi has been sentenced to death, he wields considerable influence in Egypt and other Islamist countries. He is one of the most followed leaders in Africa commanding a following of 2 million followers on Twitter.

Riek Machar - Deputy President South Sudan

The youngest country has known nothing short of turmoil since it broke away from Sudan. The protagonists, President Salva Kiir and his deputy Riek Machar, have led the country on the path of death and destruction.

Many South Sudanese have been displaced with the affluent seeking refuge in more stable countries. Riek commands a strong following of the Luo, Jikany and Eastern Nuer.

The country is enjoying relative peace following a ‘forced’ peace pact between the two leaders.

Morgan Tsvangirai - MDC

Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai was touted as the worthy opponent of President Robert Mugabe. He had the blessings of the West following the seizure of white-owned land by Mugabe regime.

Mugabe went ahead to redistribute the land to blacks in Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwean President has managed to clamp down on opposition effectively.

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