esponsible" autocrats may be equally harsh toward those viewed as threats, but is typically governed by some degree of rationality as opposed to sheer whim.
The remainder of this discussion will consider two instances of autocratic rule, Gabon under the de-facto lifetime Bongo presidency, and of Haiti, especially under the Duvaliers. These may be considered contrasting cases of "responsible" autocratic rule as against purely personalist rule.
Gabon, neocolonialism, and "responsible" autocracy
The post-colonial history of Gabon has been largely shaped by events that call into some question how "post" it is. According to a near-contemporary account, "a period of thirty-six hours in February 1964 saw the Republic of Gabon the scene of two successive and contradictory acts of political violence which have so far remained without parallel in Africa." The first stage was a bloodless coup by the Gabonese army, a force of just 400 men. President Leon Mba was arrested, and compelled (evidently without great effort) to resign.
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