Longest-serving president ever

The longest-serving president of the all-time is Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea, who assumed office on 12 October 1982 – a presidency of 42 years 129 days as of 18 February 2025.

Obiang overthrew his uncle, Francisco Macías Nguema, in a military coup in 1979. He took control of the country as chairman of the Revolutionary Military Council and Supreme Military Council before assuming the presidency in 1982. Obiang founded the Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea in 1987 – the country's only legal political party until a constitutional change in 1991 – and while multiple parties are permitted under the new constitution, the DPEG remains the dominant political force. According to the Global State of Democracy Initiative, Obiang "has never received less than 93% of the votes for president".