World’s longest-serving president starts sixth term

The world’s longest-serving head of state, the president of Equatorial Guinea, has been sworn in for a sixth term in office.

Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who is 80, took the presidential oath before inspecting a military parade.

He declared he was – and always would be – the leader of all Equatorial Guineans.

He first seized power in a coup in 1979.

Critics say elections since then have been rigged, with the opposition largely prevented from taking part and the media controlled by the government and its allies.

BBC Africa