Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo was re-elected to office in Equatorial Guinea on Saturday for a sixth term.
Since 1979, the 80-year-old has been in charge. The head of the election commission declared Obiang the winner with 94,9% of the vote.
“The results of the general election solemnly proclaim His Excellency Obiang NGuema Mbasogo President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea for a term of seven years”, said the head of the electoral commission Faustino Ndong Esono Eyang.
A coalition of 15 parties, including Obiang’s own Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea, supported him (PDGE).
The opposition candidates’ percentage victories were not disclosed.
“The opposition talked about small irregularities, which is what we have seen on the ground. But these irregularities, imperfections, are not such as to mar the overall good conduct of this November 20 election”, said electoral observer Jean Marie Ngondjibanganté.
Security authorities detained opposition members weeks before the investigation began, with the dictatorship claiming that it was stopping a “plot” to carry out assaults in the capital Malabo and the business district Bata.
Before the election, the government also shut down the nation’s land borders with Cameroon and Gabon, two nearby nations.
The longest-serving head of state, excluding monarchs, is Obiang.
Read also: Africa’s longest-serving president announces his bid for a sixth term.
He has never received less than 93 percent of the vote and been declared elected again.
