A lot of nations practice democracy but some presidents/leaders once elected never want to leave their political positions or seats. Looking for ways to cling to their power or upgrade it for as long as they can or want to.
Rumour has it that a few leaders would prefer to pass away while in the office than hand it over. While this has not been confirmed, there are a few leaders who have been in power ever since they were elected or crowned.
Though some presidents/leaders walk away peacefully once their tenure is over, some other do what they can to hold unto the power.
In Africa, there are some Presidents who have been in power longer than required or expected, in fact one of the leaders tweaked the constitution to favour him and his ambition to remain in the position of authority.
This extended ruling has raised many concerns with some calling for a change in leadership, claims of hostility and threats to overpower the leader.
Recently, Africa has been dealing with the military takeover (coup) of power in Gabon and Niger Republic. And this has resulted in mixed feelings.
2 of the longest serving presidents have been quick to change its military leaders in fear of been betrayed or overthrown.
Here are the 7 longest serving presidents in Africa
Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo (longest serving president)
Since August 3rd, 1979, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, a former military officer, has presided as Equatorial Guinea’s second president. He is the second longest-serving current non-royal national leader in the world and the longest-serving president of any nation to have ever lived.
The 81year old President has been ruling Equatorial Guinea for 44 years and is the longest serving president in Africa.
Paul Biya
90year old Paul Biya is a Cameroonian politician who has has been the Camroon’s president since 6 November 1982. He was the country’s prime minister from 1975 to 1982.
After 42 years it seems like Paul Biya’s rule in Cameroon is not about to end.
Since being installed as president in a coup d’état in 1982, President Biya has ruled the nation. He was a leader who was noted for being oppressive in the early years of his administration.
He let go of the nation’s control in the 1990s and permitted multiparty elections. He has, nonetheless, stayed in charge ever since.
Human rights organizations have given President Biya plenty of grief for his continuous suppression of the Cameroonian people.
After the coup in Gabon, Paul Biya made significant changes to the defense ministry of his nation. BizWatch Nigeria believes he made the alterations out of concern for being ousted.
The representative to the presidency in charge of defense, the staff of the air force, the navy, and the police were among the positions that were changed.
Denis Sassou (President of Congo)
For 36 years, Denis Sassou has presided over the Republic of the Congo. He first took office in 1979 and has subsequently won three more elections.
Sassou has faced criticism and claims for more than three decades, ranging from corruption to bad leadership and human rights abuses. But to him, that’s never been a good enough excuse to give up.
Denis Sassou is 79year old.
King Mswati III (Makhosetive Dlamini)
Makhosetive Dlamini was anointed Mswati III, Ingwenyama and King of Swaziland on April 26, 1986, at the age of 18, becoming the world’s youngest governing king at the time.
To commemorate the country’s 50th anniversary of independence, King Mswati III changed the name of Swaziland to Eswatini on April 19, 2018.
King Mswati III has been criticized for his luxurious lifestyle, large spending of his wives while the residents wallow in poverty.
Yoweri Museveni
Yoweri Museveni has been Uganda’s president for 35 years. He was initially elected in 1986 and has been re-elected three times since then. At 78, Museveni is Africa’s third-oldest head of state.
According to critics, Museveni has become increasingly authoritarian over the years, silencing criticism and limiting civil freedoms.
There have been calls for term limits in Uganda in recent years, but Museveni has resisted these efforts. He altered the constitution in 2017 to abolish the president’s age limit, thereby allowing him to remain in power indefinitely.
Isaias Afwerki
Isaias Afwerki, 77, has been the president of Eritrea for 30 years. After leading the country’s independence movement from Ethiopia, he initially came to power in 1993. Since then, Afwerki has been re-elected thrice.
Eritrea is also one of the most militarized countries in the world, with all able-bodied residents being compelled to serve in the military. As a result, many Eritreans have fled the nation in search of safety and opportunity overseas.
According to Amnesty International, the government of Isaias has at least 10,000 political prisoners as of 2013. Amnesty also alleged that torture is widely used for punishment, interrogation, and coercion.
A United Nations panel charged Isaias in June 2015 of overseeing a totalitarian government accountable for systemic human rights violations in Eritrea that may amount to crimes against humanity.
Andebrhan Welde Giorgis, Isaias’ former comrade, stated in 2018 that Isaias moved on to personalize authority, and that “having personalised power, he abused it to the maximum.”
Nonetheless, at the African Unity meeting in Cairo in 1993, Isaias condemned other leaders for staying in power for too long, and he also opposed a personality cult.
As of 2022, the Eritrean government refuted Amnesty International’s charges, accusing the organization of promoting a “regime change” political goal.
Paul Kagame
Paul Kagame, Rwanda’s president, is running for re-election in 2024. He has been in power from the year 2000.
The constitution was amended in 2015, allowing him to stay until 2034.
Official results from the previous presidential election six years ago showed he received 99% of the vote, which many outside the country viewed as a fraud.
When asked if he will run for re-election, Kagame responded, “I will consider running for another 20 years.” That is not a problem for me. Elections are about people making choices.”
Rwanda’s defense force (RDF) reported on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter, shortly after the Gabonese coup that President Paul Kagame had ordered the retirement of 83 top commanders.
It seems like military takeover may be a moving trend in the African region especially nations where the president has been leading for long and has not made any positive impact.
Rwanada and Cameroon’s reshuffle proves that the political tyrants are afraid of been overthrown and will do anything to remain in power.
