Two 1980s coup leaders move up the African strongman rankings with the removal of Mugabe from power.

The new fourth-longest-ruling African leader is an absolute monarch.

After Mugabe’s exit, Equatorial Guinea’s Teodoro Obiang remains unchallenged for the title of the world’s longest ruling dictator.

Cameroon’s Paul Biya now takes the place of Zimbabwe’s Mugabe as Africa’s second-longest ruling leader.

José Eduardo dos Santos left oil-rich Angola’s presidency on his own terms after 38 years.