Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo (born 1942) is a military officer and politician who has been the President of Equatorial Guinea since 1979. Having ruled for over 46 years (as of December 2025), he holds the record as the longest-serving current president in the world and the second-longest-serving non-royal national leader, behind only Cameroon’s Paul Biya.
Key Biographical Information
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo |
| Born | June 5, 1942, Acoacán, Spanish Guinea |
| Political Party | Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea (PDGE) |
| Key Titles | President of Equatorial Guinea (1979–Present); Chairman of the African Union (2011–2012) |
| Accession | Seized power in a military coup on August 3, 1979 |
| Predecessor | Francisco Macías Nguema (his uncle) |
| Son/Successor | Teodoro “Teodorín” Nguema Obiang Mangue (Vice President) |
The 1979 “Freedom Coup”
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Service under Macías: Obiang held several key positions during his uncle’s brutal regime, including military governor of Bioko and director of the notorious Black Beach prison.
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Overthrowing the “Miracle”: As Macías’s rule became increasingly erratic and began targeting his own family, Obiang led a bloody coup d’état in August 1979. He tried and executed his uncle, promising a “fresh start” for the nation.
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Initial Reforms: He initially eased some of his uncle’s most repressive measures, unbanning Christianity and the wearing of spectacles, and releasing many political prisoners.
Entrenched Authoritarianism
Despite early promises of reform, Obiang’s own rule evolved into one of the most entrenched and criticized dictatorships in Africa.
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Dominant Party State: His party, the PDGE, holds virtually total control over the legislature. In recent elections (2016 and 2022), he was re-elected with officially reported margins exceeding 94% of the vote.
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Human Rights Record: Human rights organizations consistently rank Equatorial Guinea among the world’s most repressive states, citing routine torture, arbitrary detentions, and the suppression of any meaningful political opposition.
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The Oil Boom: The discovery of massive offshore oil reserves in the 1990s transformed the country’s economy. Equatorial Guinea became one of Africa’s largest oil producers, giving it a high GDP per capita. However, the vast majority of this wealth has been funneled to the Obiang family and a small elite, while much of the population remains in poverty.
Recent Developments and Succession (2025)
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Economic Diversification: Throughout 2025, Obiang has intensified calls for economic diversification—aiming to invest in agriculture and non-oil sectors as oil production continues to decline.
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Dynastic Ambitions: His son, Teodoro “Teodorín” Nguema Obiang Mangue, serves as Vice President and is widely viewed as the heir apparent. Teodorín has gained international notoriety for his extravagant lifestyle and has been convicted in France (in absentia) for money laundering and embezzlement.
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Global Standing: In 2025, Obiang sought to strengthen ties with Russia and China to balance Western criticism of his human rights record. He remains a powerful figure in Central African regional politics, hosting major African Union meetings in Malabo as recently as July 2025.
Teodoro Obiang’s legacy is one of absolute control, where national wealth and state power are inextricably linked to his personal family dynasty.