10 Worst Dictators In Power Today

9. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo (Equatorial Guinea)

FILE - In this July 25, 2013 file photo, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, center, arrives at the cemeteries of fallen fighters of the Korean People's Army (KPA) in Pyongyang, North Korea. South Korea's spy agency says it has an explanation of North Korean
Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo has been the President of Equatorial Guinea since he ousted his uncle in a military coup in 1979. Since his takeover of the nation, he has implemented sweeping changes to the constitution allowing him and his party, the Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea (PDGE), to effectively rule the nation as a legal dictatorship.

He accomplishes this by ruling in a dominant-party state system wherein the PDGE holds nearly all of the governing power in the nation. Without allowing another party or any dissenting voice to be heard at the state level, Obiang and his cronies are able to rule without challenge by decree, which essentially means what the President says, goes.

Aside from his changes to the constitution, which have allowed him to remain in power for more than 40 years, Obiang has been accused of wrongdoing typically associated with men in his position. In 2003, the state-run media declared the President to be "the country's god [with] all power over men and things."

While it isn't atypical to deify a dictator, it's never a good sign for the people of that country. Further statements declared President Obiang "can decide to kill without anyone calling him to account and without going to hell." Furthermore, he has claimed to be a god on multiple occasions.

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Jonathan is a graphic artist, illustrator, writer, and game designer. Jonathan retired from the U.S. Army in 2017 and enjoys researching and writing about history, science, theology, and many other subjects. He writes for ScreenRant, CBR, NerdBastards, Listverse, Ranker, WhatCulture, and many other sites online. You can check out his latest on Twitter: @TalkingBull or on his blog: jonathanhkantor.com