Here are world's longest serving leaders - PHOTOS

Late Cuba's revolutionary hero Fidel Castro. He ruled for 49 years, topping the list of longest serving leaders in the world. PHOTO | FILE | AFP

By  AFP

What you need to know:

  • North Korean founder Kim Il Sung ran the reclusive state for 46 years before dying in office in 1994.
  • Taiwan's first president Chiang Kai-shek was in charge on the island and in mainland China for a total of 47 years.
  • Congo President Denis Sassou Nguesso has ruled for 34 years, excluding a five-year pause.

Paris

Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev shocked the nation Tuesday when he announced he would be resigning after nearly 30 years in power.
Here is a recap of some of the world leaders who have held power the longest -- excluding monarchs enthroned for life.

Topping the list with 49 years in power is Cuba's revolutionary hero Fidel Castro, who handed over to his brother Raul in 2008 when he was in his early 80s.

Also Read

Taiwan's first president Chiang Kai-shek was in charge on the island and in mainland China for a total of 47 years until his death in 1975.

North Korean founder Kim Il-sung ran the reclusive state for 46 years before dying in office in 1994. He is still revered as the "eternal leader".

North Korean soldiers, workers and students walk to offer flowers to the statue of Kim Il-sung, a former leader and founder of the country. PHOTO | REUTERS | KCNA

Muammar Gaddafi ruled Libya with an iron fist for almost 42 years before being ousted and then slaughtered in 2011 by rebels.

Muammar Gaddafi who ruled Libya with an iron fist for almost 42 years. PHOTO | ZOHRA BENSEMRA | REUTERS

Omar Bongo governed oil-rich Gabon for more than 41 years until his death in 2009.

Gabon's Omar Bongo who ruled for more than 41 years until his death in 2009. PHOTO | FILE | REUTERS

Currently, the world's longest serving president is Equatorial Guinea's Teodoro Obiang Nguema, with 39 years under his belt since he toppled his uncle in 1979.

Equatorial Guinea's Teodoro Obiang Nguema who has ruled for 39 years. PHOTO | CARL DE SOUZA | AFP

Others that are still counting their years in power:

  • Cameroon's President Paul Biya: 36 years.
  • Congo President Denis Sassou Nguesso: 34 years, excluding a five-year pause.
  • Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen: 34 years.
  • Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni: 33 years.
  • Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei: 29 years.
  • Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir: 29 years.
  • Chad's President Idriss Deby: 28 years.
  • Tajikistan's President Emomali Rakhmon: 26 years.
  • Eritrea's President Isaias Afwerki: 25 years.
  • Belarus's President Alexander Lukashenko: 25 years

In the headlines