Merkel, Europe's longest serving leader quits: Here are Africa's sit-tight leaders

Angela Merkel, Europe’s longest serving head of government has finally been replaced as head of the ruling center-right party, the Christian Democratic Union, CDU.

It effectively draws the curtain on a reign of eighteen years as leader, . Merkel became party leader in 2000, at the time taking over from Wolfgang Schauble. Five years later, she was elected Germany’s first female Chancellor.

She has left her post as party leader but will see out her tenure as Chancellor which ends in 2021. She would have grossed sixteen years in the role having taken over from Gerhard Schroder.

She has worked with four presidents over the sixteen year period with six Vice Chancellors. She has also held considerable power in the regional bloc, the European Union, EU. At many times the only woman in a sea of men.

She has routinely been named the world’s most powerful woman by the Forbes annual list of 100 ‘Most Powerful Women.’ She has won four elections with the CDU and allied parties.

And she has been a good friend of the African continent, having paid a series of visits across the continent during her tenure. At the heart of her engagements were: migration, security, terrorism and economic cooperation.

So who are the African leaders Merkel came to meet in office and has left – at least as party leader but they are still at post. Here is a refresher on the continent’s sit-tight leaders.

Only three of them have left the stage over the period. Jose Eduardo dos Santos (Angola) and Robert Gabriel Mugabe (Zimbabwe) with Democratic Republic of Congo’s Joseph Kabila on his way out, all things being equal.

Photos, Info hub: African leaders – then and now

Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, 76 years

Became President: 1979 – till date

Predecessor: Francisco Macías Nguema

Presidential reign: 39 years

Paul Kagame, 61 years

Profession: Soldier

Became President: 2000 – till date

Predecessor: Pasteur Bizimungu

Presidential reign: 18 years

Denis Sassou Nguesso, 74 years

Became President: First era = 1979 – 1992, second era = 1997 – till date

Predecessor: Pascal Lissouba

Presidential reign: Thirty-four years

Paul Biya, 85 years

Became President: November 1982, having served as Prime Minister since June 1975

Predecessor: Ahmadou Ahidjo

Presidential reign: 36 years. 43 years (PM and presidential era)

Isaias Afwerki, 72 years

Became President: 24 May, 1993

Predecessor: No predecessor, he is first president of the country

Presidential reign: 25 years

Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir, 74 years

Became President: 16 October 1993

Predecessor: Sadiq al-Mahdi

Presidential reign: 25 years

Mswati III, born as Prince Makhosetive / 50 years old

Became king: 25 April 1986 (at the age of 18)

Predecessor: king Sobhuza II

Presidential reign: 32 years

Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 74 years

Became President: 1986

Predecessor: Tito Okello Lutwa

Presidential reign: 32 years

Idriss Deby Itno, 65 years

Became President: 1991

Predecessor: Hissene Habre