GLOBE’S LONGEST SERVING PRESIDENT BEGINS 6TH TERM IN EQUATORIAL GUINEA

Faith Nyasuguta

Equatorial Guinea’s head of state Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who holds the world record for the longest time in power for a living head of state excluding monarchs, has been sworn in for a sixth, seven-year term.

International community members, ithe US government, have raised concerns over the legitimacy of the landslide victory of the president’s PDGE party which claimed 94.9% of the vote.

Members of the government of the central African nation reacted to these doubts.

“The only thing the people can expect from the newly re-elected president is to continue the development of our country in all sectors.”

“What the people hope for, and what I personally hope for, is the sustainability of its action in the education sector, in the health sector, in the economic sector, in all sectors of the country and in infrastructure,” Atalia Ndong, a government spokesperson said.

“Every nation has its own model of democracy. There is no system that governs democracy in absolute terms. In Equatorial Guinea, there is a presidential democracy. A peaceful election.”

“We are pleased that the opposition parties participated and that one of the main candidates in this election came to congratulate us,” added Evita Junto, a politician.

Holding onto power since 1979, Obiang was re-elected in the Central African oil country which he rules with an iron fist and in the face of a muzzled opposition.

With over 43 years at the helm, Obiang holds the record for the longest-serving head of state outside of a monarchy.