You have to give credit to Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, the president of Equatorial Guinea, for his staying power. This year marks his thirtieth anniversary in power. That is a longer span, by a whisker, than that of his ally, Zimbabwe’s octogenarian ruler, President Robert Mugabe. With three decades under his belt, Obiang joins the same league as two other long-toothed, serving African leaders, Muamarr Qaddafi of Libya and Omar Bongo of Gabon. Obiang, a relative youngster at 66, is one of the longest-serving heads of state on the planet.
Equatorial Guinea: Staying Power
One night in mid-February, gunfire erupted at the gates of the presidential palace in Equatorial Guinea at 3am. The motives were unclear but there was speculation about another coup attempt. Not the news the president wanted as he prepared to celebrate thirty years in power.