
Africa’s longest-ruling current leaders
6. Idriss Deby, Chad
Over 30 years of rule
Deby took power at the head of an armed rebellion

5. King Mswati III, eSwatini
Nearly 35 years of rule
Political parties are banned in eSwatini
previously known as Swaziland

4. Yoweri Museveni, Uganda
Over 35 years of rule
The constitution has been changed twice to keep Museveni in power
The two-term limit was removed in 2005
The age limit of 75 was abolished in 2017

3. Denis Sassou Nguesso, Congo Republic
38 years in office
Sassou lost the first multi-party elections in 1992
He regained power in 1997 after a civil war

2. Paul Biya, Cameroon
Over 38 years in office
Biya took over in 1982 after serving as prime minister
He has won five multi-party elections since 1992
The opposition has called the results fraudulent

1. Teodoro Obiang, Equatorial Guinea
Over 41 years in office
Obiang seized power from his uncle in a coup
Opposition parties were legalized in 1992
but Obiang’s party dominates
