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Robert Mugabe
- The controversial former president of Zimbabwe has recently passed away at 95 years of age. While he was ousted from the position in 2017, his rule lasted an astounding 37 years.
Continue clicking through the gallery to find out the longest-reigning world leaders that are still in power.
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Mahmoud Abbas - Abbas was briefly the prime minister of Palestine in 2003, before becoming president in 2005. He has held this position for over 14 years.
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Roosevelt Skerrit - After the death of Pierre Charles, Skerrit stepped in to become the prime minister of Dominica in 2004. It's been over 15 years since he took the position.
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Sheikh Hasina - She was the prime minister of Bangladesh from 1996 to 2001, and again from 2009 to the present day, totaling over 15 years.
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Ilham Aliyev - Ilham Aliyev is the president of Azerbaijan, a position he's held since 2003.
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Dési Bouterse - In 1980, Dési Bouterse became the de facto head of Suriname. He has been president since 2010.
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Ralph Gonsalves - Gonsalves has been the prime minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines since 2001. "Comrade Ralph" has ruled the country for 17 years.
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Bashar al-Assad - Syria's polarizing president has ruled the country since 2000. Of course, he's a part of the Al-Assad family.
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Hage Geingob - Hage Geingob has had two long terms as the political leader of Namibia. He was prime minister from 1990 to 2002, and has served as president since 2012.
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Paul Kagame - Since 2000, Paul Kagame has been the president of Rwanda. He's been called the "most impressive and among the most repressive" African leaders.
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Keith Mitchell - Keith Mitchell has been the prime minister of Grenada for a total of over 19 years. His first term was from 1995 to 2008, and he resumed office in 2013.
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Vladimir Putin - For many Russians, Putin is all they've ever known. He has run Russia for over 19 years, flip-flopping between being prime minister and president since 1999.
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Ismaïl Omar Guelleh - He's been the president of Djibouti since 1999, when he was elected as the handpicked successor of his uncle, Hassan Gouled Aptidon.
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Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi - The prime minister of Samoa has held the office since 1998.
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Daniel Ortega - Daniel Ortega was Nicaragua's Acting Head of State from 1981 to 1990, and has been president of the country since 2007.
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Alexander Lukashenko - Belarus' president is a polarizing figure, but he's held this position for over 24 years straight, beginning in 1994.
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Isaias Afwerki - Isaias Afwerki is the first president of Eritrea, holding the position since the country's independence in 1993.
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Emomali Rahmon - He's been the president of Tajikistan for over 26 years, taking on the role in 1992. Emomali Rahmon has employed his two children as senior officials in his administration.
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Idriss Déby - Idriss Déby has been Chad's president for over 28 years, beginning in 1990. He took power after rebelling against President Hissène Habré.
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Yoweri Museveni - Yoweri Museveni has been the president of Uganda for over 33 years, assuming office in 1986.
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Hun Sen - Hun Sen has been Cambodia's prime minister for over 34 years, taking office in 1985.
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Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
- Erdoğan served as the prime minister of Turkey from 2003 to 2014, this before taking office as president later in 2014.
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Denis Sassou Nguesso - Denis Sassou Nguesso has been the president of the Republic of the Congo for a total of over 34 years. His first term was from 1979 to 1992, and he started his second in 1997.
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Ali Khamenei - Ali Khamenei is the President-turned-Supreme Leader of Iran. Serving as president from 1981 to 1989, he's been the Supreme Leader since 1989.
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Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo - He's only the second president of Equatorial Guinea, but he's held the position since 1979.
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Mahathir Mohamad - Mahathir Mohamad has been the prime minister of Malaysia for over 22 years in total. He first held the position from 1981 to 2003. He assumed office again in 2018.
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Shavkat Mirziyoyev - Shavkat Mirziyoyev was the prime minister of Uzbekistan from 2003 to 2016, before becoming president later in 2016.
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Paul Biya
- The longest-ruling world leader currently in office is Paul Biya. Serving as prime minister of Cameroon from 1975 to 1982, he took the office of president later in 1982. See also: Women leaders around the world.
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World leaders with the longest reigns
Leaders who won't let go of their powerful positions
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It's not easy being president, or prime minister. Becoming a world leader can be pretty tricky stuff, but what's even harder? Keeping the job. That's something these world leaders don't seem to be worried about. They are powerful figures who have ruled their countries for decades, and don't seem to be stepping down (at least not any time soon). Click on and meet the world leaders with the longest reigns.
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