Many African leaders manage to cling to power for decades, either by force, breaking laws or bending constitutions. African leaders aren’t always known for willingly exiting office on ceremonious terms. It takes countries with formidable institutions to ensure elected presidents don’t try to lead beyond their term limits.
Here's a look at some of Africa's longest-serving leaders, examining their tenures, how they came to power, and the impact of their rule.
Key Figures and Their Tenures
As of 2025, Africa has some long-serving presidents who have maintained their grip on power for over three decades. These long-serving presidents often maintain their positions through a mix of constitutional amendments, electoral manipulation, and suppression of political opposition.
Here is a list of current state leaders ordered by their continuous tenure in a position of national leadership. For countries in which the head of state and head of government are separate, both offices are listed. For leaders who held the same office prior to their state's independence, the start of their tenure is used, not independence.
Map of African Union Members
Read also: Exploring Somalia's shoreline
1. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, Equatorial Guinea
Now having ruled for 45 years, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo is the longest running president in the world at the moment. Obiang, who came to power in an August 3, 1979 coup, is Africa's longest-serving leader, with 43 years at the helm. He has been in power since August 1979, after a military coup that deposed his uncle, Francisco Macías Nguema. Usurping power through a coup, he nominally returned Equatorial Guinea back to civilian rule in 1982.
However, given the constitutional power to rule by decree and the overwhelming dominance of the ruling Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea, it would be totally disingenuous to deem his governmental style as democracy. Over the decades, Obiang has maintained a firm hold on Equatorial Guinea, a nation rich in oil reserves yet marked by significant socio-economic disparities. His tenure has been characterized by allegations of human rights abuses and corruption, with limited political freedoms for the populace.
2. Paul Biya, Cameroon
At 91 years old, Paul Biya is the oldest head of state in the world. Cameroon has lived through 40 years of largely unchallenged and hardline rule under Biya. He has been the President of Cameroon since November 6, 1982. First becoming president after the resignation of former President Ahmadou Ahidjo, Biya has remained in office by allegedly enforcing his will even though elections are held every seven years.
Opposition parties have accused him of election fraud and violent repression since multiparty elections started in 1992. In 2008, Cameroon’s national assembly removed the term limits that would’ve kept Biya from running in the 2011 elections. As the second-longest-ruling president in Africa, Biya’s administration is heavily supported by France, which has provided military aid and training. The 89-year-old runs the country through a very small circle of aides, whom he appoints and banishes as he sees fit.
3. Denis Sassou Nguesso, Republic of the Congo
Talk to Al Jazeera - Denis Sassou Nguesso
Read also: Delving into African Names
A five-year gap is the reason Dennis Sassou-Nguesso isn’t the longest running president in the world right now. After his first run as president, during which he won re-election unopposed twice, a national conference led to a multiparty election in which Sassou-Nguesso placed third. In 2015, a constitution change adjusted presidential terms from seven to five years, but also abolished term limits. His first term was from 1979 to 1992, and he returned to power in 1997 following a civil war.
In 2015, Sassou Nguesso orchestrated a constitutional referendum that removed presidential term limits, enabling him to seek re-election. The subsequent 2016 election saw him securing another term amidst opposition allegations of electoral fraud. The highlight of his leadership has been the executive power he wields without meaningful legislative or judicial constraints. Denis Sassou Nguesso was previously President of the People's Republic of the Congo / Republic of the Congo from 8 February 1979 - 31 August 1992.
4. Yoweri Museveni, Uganda
In Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, 78, has led his country for 36 years since January 1986. Like several of his colleagues in this list, Yoweri Museveni came into power on a path paved by war. Yoweri Museveni has been Uganda’s president since January 29, 1986, after leading a successful guerrilla war that toppled the previous regime. He was sworn in as head of state after the Ugandan Bush War, and elections began to be held from 1996.
Heading into the 2006 election, the Constitution was amended to allow Museveni return to office after he had served the two terms as allowed by the 1995 Constitution. In the 2021 polls, main opposition candidate Bobi Wine challenged the results that declared Museveni winner and was harassed by state security for his outspokenness. Under his rule, Uganda has experienced periods of economic growth and relative stability. However, his extended tenure has also been marked by criticisms regarding democratic backsliding, suppression of political opposition, and human rights concerns.
Museveni rose to power after a successful military campaign against previous regimes. Museveni was a part of the rebels who ousted Ugandan leaders Idi Amin (1971-79) and Milton Obote (1980-85). Recognized by the West as a hero, Museveni subsequently amended the rules in his favor by eliminating presidential term limits in 2005, thereby enabling an extension of his rule.
Read also: Serving Dishes in Morocco
5. Isaias Afwerki, Eritrea
Over 30 years, since it fought its way to independence from Ethiopia, Eritrea is yet to have a fully functioning constitution. Isaias Afwerki has been Eritrea’s first and only president since its independence in 1993, ruling with an iron grip under a single-party system without scheduled elections. General elections have never been held, budgets have never been published, and Isaias Afwerki continues to rule over Eritreans.
Even if things were to change from a clear dictatorship into a democracy, it would only be nominal, as the Afwerki-led Eritrean People’s Liberation Front is the only legal political party. As the first and only president of Eritrea since its independence in 1993, Isaias Afwerki has ruled with an iron fist, maintaining a single-party system with no scheduled elections.
Other Notable Leaders
Not included in the above list are royals, who are the heads of states in their various countries, and have been in power for more than two decades.
- King Mswati III of Eswatini: Africa's last remaining absolute monarchy, has been ruled by King Mswati III for 36 years. The first is King Mswati III of Eswatini who ascended the throne in 1986 after the death of his father, King Sobhuza II. As Eswatini is governed by an absolute monarchy, Mswati III is the Southern African nation’s head of state and he holds absolute power over the executive, legislative and judicial branches.
- King Letsie III of Lesotho: The second African head of state who is a royal, is Lesotho’s King Letsie III, whose power within the confines of Lesotho’s constitutional monarchy are mainly ceremonial. With very little authority proscribed by the Constitution, Letsie III hasn’t interfered with Lesotho’s multi-party system where citizens vote for parliament and executive power rests with the prime minister.
- King Mohammed VI of Morocco: King Mohammed VI of Morocco is the third African head of state to inherit such prolonged power. In 2011, Mohammed VI announced a series of constitutional reforms that, on the face of it, gave more power to political parties and the people. The previous Constitution, although allowing for multi-party politics, gave the king unchecked power. While critics were unsatisfied with the extent of the changes at the time, a significant portion of the executive power now lies with the prime minister, who’s elected through parliament majority rather than being handpicked by the king.
Other Long-Serving Leaders
- Ismaïl Omar Guelleh: President of Djibouti since 1999.
- Paul Kagame: President of Rwanda since April 2000.
The Complexities of Long Tenures
But that still doesn’t mean some presidents won’t try; and as can be seen in countries like Togo, Comoros, Cameroon and more, presidential terms are too often a suggestion. For nearly six decades, Togo’s presidency has been a family affair. After the death of his father, Gnassingbé Eyadéma, who ruled the country with an iron fist from 1967, President Faure Gnassingbé wiggled his way into power through a constitutional coup. Now, Gnassingbé has the opportunity to achieve perpetual executive power after parliament adjusted Togo's government style - despite public outcry against the change.
These long-serving presidents often maintain their positions through a mix of constitutional amendments, electoral manipulation, and suppression of political opposition.
| Leader | Country | In Power Since |
|---|---|---|
| Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo | Equatorial Guinea | August 3, 1979 |
| Paul Biya | Cameroon | November 6, 1982 |
| Denis Sassou Nguesso | Republic of the Congo | 1979-1992, 1997-Present |
| Yoweri Museveni | Uganda | January 29, 1986 |
| King Mswati III | Eswatini | April 25, 1986 |
| Isaias Afwerki | Eritrea | April 1993 |
| Ismaïl Omar Guelleh | Djibouti | 1999 |
| Paul Kagame | Rwanda | April 2000 |
Popular articles:
tags: #Africa
