Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe
The 91-year-old won the country’s independence elections in April 1980 and has since served as president of the country which is now suffering from economic squeeze after years of isolation by international lenders.
The veteran leader has in the past shared power with the opposition but his grip on the top post has never waned. Despite health concerns due to ageing Mugabe has said in different fora that he will carry on as President.
With the unflinching support of the ruling ZANU-PF party, the influential war veterans and the army, Mugabe’s only potential replacement seems to be his wife Grace Mugabe.
Grace is quoted to have said that, “I know that President Robert Mugabe is 91 years old, but he is the best leader we have, I am going to be learning from him.”
35 years and still counting Zimbabwe goes to the polls in 2018 and Mugabe is expected to seek reelection all things being equal.