For many years, academicians and experts in the field of politics have lamented the strongman syndrome inherent in the democracies and leadership of many African countries.

Strongman syndrome in the context of African politics refers to a pattern where power is concentrated in the hands of a single, dominant leader.

African politics has witnessed the rise of such leaders who suppress opposition, manipulate constitutional rules to stay in power for decades.

Some notable examples of these leaders include Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, who ruled the country for 37 years, and Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaire, now known as the Democratic Republic of Congo, for 32 years.

Mugabe and Sese Seko have both left power, but there are ten other presidents like them in Africa who have held on to the reins of power for decades.

The following are Africa’s longest-serving presidents:

Teodoro Obiang of Equatorial Guinea

Obiang has been in power since 1979. He has ruled for 46 years. Obiang seized power from his uncle in a military coup in 1979. He holds the record as Africa’s longest-serving president. He transitioned to civilian rule under a new constitution and was formally declared President in 1982. His son, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, is his Vice President.

Paul Biya of Cameroon

Biya is the second President of Cameroon. He started ruling in 1982. At 92 years old, Paul Biya is the oldest African president and has ruled for 42 years. He was re?elected in 1997, 2004, 2011, and 2018. In April 2008, a constitutional amendment removed presidential term limits, effectively allowing him to run indefinitely. Biya is Africa’s second-longest?serving president.

Dennis Sassou of Congo-Brazzaville

At 82 years old, Sassou has been President of the Democratic Republic of Congo for 41 years. He first became the head of state in March 1979 and ruled until August 1992. He returned to power following a civil conflict in 1997 and has remained in office since then.

Isaias Afwerki of Eritrea

Afwerki is 79 years old and has ruled for 32 years. He was elected President by the National Assembly when the country gained independence in 1993. There have been no presidential elections, no constitution or national legislature in force, and no term limits since he became president of the country.

Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti

Guelleh succeeded his uncle, President Hassan Gouled Aptidon and became Djibouti’s second president in May 1999. Guelleh has ruled the country for 26 years, holding the record for the longest-serving President of Djibouti. He is 78 years old.

(The Guardian)