Yet another coup has rocked the African continent, this time taking place in Gabon. A faction of army officers has announced the overthrow of the 53-year-long rule by both Omar Bongo and his son Ali in this Central African nation.
The coup leaders declared the nullification of the results of the recent election, in which President Ali Bongo had secured an extension to his 14-year tenure. This incident marks the tenth coup in Africa, with the most recent one occurring in Niger Republic.
A notable reason behind the growing frequency of coups in Africa is attributed to the prolonged tenures of certain African leaders. Currently, there are nine African Presidents who have remained in power for over two decades.
Here are some of the long-serving presidents:
1. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo (44 years): Equatorial Guinea’s President Obiang has maintained his grip on power since 1979, making him Africa’s longest-serving president. His rule began with a reputation for brutality and dictatorship, overseeing the torture and execution of political opponents.
2. Paul Biya (42 years): Cameroon’s President Biya assumed office through a coup in 1982 and has held onto power since. While he initially ruled repressively, he later allowed multiparty elections in the 1990s but continued to remain in power.
3. Denis Sassou (36 years): The Republic of the Congo’s President Sassou has been in office for 36 years, having first taken power in 1979. His extended tenure has been marked by criticism for alleged corruption, poor governance, and human rights violations.
4. King Mswati III (36-year rule): Eswatini’s absolute monarchy has been under the rule of King Mswati III for 36 years. He ascended the throne in 1986 at the age of 18.
5. Yoweri Museveni (35 years): Uganda’s President Museveni assumed power in 1986 and has been re-elected multiple times since then. Over the years, he’s faced criticism for growing authoritarianism and limiting civil liberties.
6. Isaias Afwerki (30 years): Eritrea’s President Afwerki, who led the country’s independence movement from Ethiopia, has been in office for 30 years. The nation’s militarization has led to a significant exodus of citizens seeking safety and opportunities elsewhere.
7. Paul Kagame (23 years): Rwanda’s leader, Kagame, has been in power since 2000. After a constitutional change in 2015, he is poised to remain in office until 2034. His election victories have raised skepticism about the credibility of the process.
These enduring presidential tenures underscore a complex situation where some leaders resist stepping down, contributing to the backdrop of political instability and coups across the continent.
