Fall of Autocrats: Leaders who fled after mass uprisings since World War 2

Throughout the years this scene has played out many times, usually in the wake of corruption, economic hardships, and the consequences of autocratic rule.

Below is a list of world leaders fleeing their country in the wake of mass uprisings since World War 2.

Tunisia

• Zine El Abidine Ben Ali: Fled to Saudi Arabia in January 2011 after the Tunisian Revolution, which marked the start of the Arab Spring.

Syria

• Bashar al-Assad: Fled Syria in December 2024 after Syrian rebels succesfully launched a lightning assault that captured major cities in days.

Sub-Saharan Africa

Burkina Faso

• Blaise Compaoré: Fled to Ivory Coast in October 2014 after a popular uprising against his attempt to extend his rule.

Asia

Bangladesh

• Sheikh Hasina: A student uprising followed by a bloody crackdown preceded Hasina fleeing to India once she lost support of the military.

Kyrgyzstan

• Kurmanbek Bakiyev: Fled to Belarus in 2010 following violent protests against his government.

Sri Lanka

• Gotabaya Rajapaksa: Fled the country in July 2022 after mass protests over economic mismanagement and a severe financial crisis.

Philippines

• Ferdinand Marcos: Fled to Hawaii in February 1986 after the People Power Revolution, a popular uprising that forced him to leave office after 20 years of rule.

Myanmar

• Than Shwe: Stepped down in 2011 and later went into seclusion, after a series of protests and uprisings, most notably the 2007 Saffron Revolution.

Thailand

• Thaksin Shinawatra: Fled to self-imposed exile in 2008 to avoid charges of corruption, after political turmoil and protests led to his removal from office.

Afghanistan

• Ashraf Ghani: Fled to the United Arab Emirates in August 2021 as the Taliban rapidly took control of Kabul and the country following the withdrawal of US troops.

Middle East

Egypt

• Hosni Mubarak: Resigned and fled to Sharm el-Sheikh in February 2011 after 18 days of mass protests during the Egyptian Revolution, part of the Arab Spring.

Yemen

• Ali Abdullah Saleh: Fled to Saudi Arabia in 2012 after months of protests during the Yemeni Revolution, following decades of autocratic rule.

Libya

• Muammar Gaddafi: After being overthrown in 2011, Gaddafi was killed by rebels, though his regime fled to loyalist-held areas. He didn't escape abroad like other leaders, but his regime's collapse was due to mass uprisings.

Europe

Ukraine

• Viktor Yanukovych: Fled to Russia in February 2014 after the Euromaidan protests and violent clashes with security forces.

Romania

• Nicolae Ceaușescu: Fled Romania in December 1989 after mass protests led to the fall of his regime. He and his wife were captured and executed after attempting to flee the country.

Sub-Saharan Africa

Central African Republic

• François Bozizé: Fled to Cameroon in March 2013 after a coalition of rebels, including the Seleka group, took control of the country.

Zimbabwe

• Robert Mugabe: Although Mugabe didn't technically "flee" in the traditional sense, he resigned in November 2017 following a military coup and immense pressure from the people, after decades of rule marked by repression, corruption, and economic collapse.

Chad

• Hissène Habré: After being ousted in 1990, Habré fled to Senegal, where he was later tried for human rights violations. Though his exile was earlier than 2000, his flight is notable in the context of African autocrats fleeing their rule.

South America

Bolivia

• Evo Morales: Resigned and fled to Mexico in November 2019 following mass protests and allegations of election fraud.

Ecuador

• Lucio Gutiérrez: Fled to exile in March 2005 after being ousted by a popular uprising known as the "April Revolution."

Chile

• Augusto Pinochet: After his 17-year dictatorship, Pinochet "exiled" himself in 1990 following the democratic transition and the end of his rule, though he technically did not flee under protest but left office amid an evolving political landscape.

Caribbean

Haiti

• Jean-Bertrand Aristide: Ousted and fled in February 2004 after a rebellion and mounting protests.