Both Amin and Taylor were forced to leave their countries. Their lives as expatriates will be different, but one could still endure a trial.

Mario Canseco

Former dictator Idi Amin died last weekend in Saudi Arabia. The man whose eight-year rule in Uganda epitomized an era of mistreatment spent the last few days of his life in a coma, as the mere suggestion of finding him a kidney donor stirred controversy in Europe and Africa.

The former British colonial army soldier led a coup on Jan. 25, 1971, while Ugandan president Milton Obote was away on a trip. At first, Ugandans appeared to cherish Amin, as the military strongman challenged the empire, even offering once to become King of Scotland.

There was hardly any room in Amin's jacket for more medals, which he awarded himself at the slightest excuse. Ideologically, the dictator justified the Nazi holocaust and aided Palestinian militants. His rule was marked by violence. Some human rights organizations believe 100,000 people were killed under his orders. Others say the figure is closer to half a million.

Amin's fortunes began to turn in 1972, after his decision to expel everyone that fit under his schemed description of "non-Ugandans." His ethnic cleansing proposal backfired, as the country was left without major business and industry leaders. A 1978 effort to annex parts of Tanzania led to Amin's downfall, as his troops were defeated and Uganda was invaded.

Libya and Iraq were Amin's first destinations on exile, but the former dictator eventually settled in Saudi Arabia. In Jeddah, the Islam convert dwelled in a luxury residence, as the local government picked up the tab for automobiles and chauffeurs. Special chefs were summoned to prepare his meals, as Amin could only consume food from his homeland.

Amin's death comes a mere six days after another African strongman was forced into early retirement. Liberia's Charles Taylor boarded a plane on Aug. 11, ready to start a new life on Nigeria after reaching an agreement with Olusegun Obasanjo. Vice-president Moses Blah takes over, as the government and members of armed group Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) sit down for talks on how to establish an interim administration.

Like Amin, Taylor is a former warlord, said to have received military training in Libya. He was indicted for war crimes earlier this year, after trading weapons to Sierra Leone in exchange for diamonds. A tribunal backed by the United Nations (UN) held Taylor responsible for a barrage of hideous acts, including slavery, rape and the use of child soldiers. In Liberia, 200,000 people have died after years of civil conflict.

Taylor's life in Nigeria will be much less formidable than Amin's Arabian wonderland. According to the terms of his exile, the former president cannot leave the town of Calabar, or offer any comment on Liberia. Taylor is also responsible for his own sustenance and the expenses of his family members, a far cry from Amin's army of servants.

The exiled Amin never had to explain his actions to a tribunal, and joyously offered his opinion to the international press, hoping for a triumphant return to Uganda. Taylor has been indicted, and will have to keep the lowest of profiles or risk angering his Nigerian hosts. International tribunals are already scrutinizing criminal acts committed in Yugoslavia, Cambodia and Rwanda. Only a similar procedure would stop Taylor from sharing Amin's most enviable escapade—impunity.

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