Possible Clues:

• The reign of one of the 23 down, perhaps
• African river and country
• ... from land and water in Africa
• Upside down the boy was in the river
• Queen upset, not wanting a republic
• Country district has nothing less elevating
• Troubled reign leads to a republic
• Land that's more than 90% desert
• Upset queen doesn't want a republic
• Major West African river