Even if Rwanda’s president Paul Kagame chooses to stay in power until 2034, he still won’t be Africa’s longest-serving leader. At number five is Uganda’s president Yoweri Museveni. He took office in 1986, meaning he’s been in power for 29 years.
Next is Denis Sassou Nguessou, president of the Republic of Congo. He served from 1979 to 92 and then again from 1997 until today, clocking up a total of 31 years in office.
At number three is Cameroon’s leader Paul Biya. He’s got two more years under his belt, having been in power for 33 years. In office since 1979 and at number two is Jose Eduardo Dos Santos, president of Angola. Also president since then, but for slightly longer is Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, president of Equatorial Guinea for 36 years now.
The debate over extending presidential terms has led to instability in Burundi, Burkina Faso and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Benin and Congo-Brazzaville are also mulling third terms, while changes benefiting incumbents have been passed in Angola, Algeria, Chad and Uganda.
