International Day of Democracy: Five Democratic Leaders That Fought Dictatorship in their Country

Nelson Mandela: An iconic role model of democracy and social justice, Mandela is hailed to be one of the most successful democratic leaders. He was a South African, anti-apartheid revolutionary who assumed South Africa’s Presidential office by being the first to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. He fought against white domination, got arrested for seditious activities, and later faced 27 years’ imprisonment. He was honoured with the Nobel Peace Prize.

Lech Wałęsa: The first democratically elected President of Poland since 1926, Wałęsa had headed the pro-democratic drive to oust the Communist rule in Poland, and ended the Cold War. He stood up against the dictatorial rule of Communist authorities, and constant surveillance imposition. He was the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.

Charles de Gaulle: A renowned democratic leader who was instrumental in re-establishing democratic rule in France, Charles was a French army officer who led Free France against Nazi Germany during World War II. He actively headed the Provisional Government of the French Republic (1944-1946) fighting for the country’s democratic right.