Mr Aliyev, a former KGB officer, has faced strong opposition in Azerbaijan for his authoritarian style of leadership.

BBC: Azerbaijan claims 97% support in poll

Other African leaders also have resisted Mr. Mandela's example, especially those who found power after a struggle, like Yoweri Museveni in Uganda and Paul Kagame in Rwanda, men who were initially hailed as shining hopes for African leadership but are now showing authoritarian traits.

WSJ: The Real Legacy of Nelson Mandela

In Scandinavian countries, for instance, leadership is more egalitarian and participatory and less authoritarian.

FORBES: Magazine Article