The most experienced leaders in African countries.Africa is home to a number of historical rulers who came to power through various means, including elections, military coups, and royal successions. 

Among these ten rulers, Cameroon's President Paul Biya, aged 91, has been in power since 1982. Reports of Biya's health and whereabouts became a topic of discussion across Africa this week following rumors of his passing. 

Biya's most recent public appearance was at the China-Africa Summit in Beijing in early September. His absence from the recent UN General Assembly in New York and a summit of French-speaking countries (La Francophonie) in France fueled the speculations. 

Cameroon's ambassador to France affirmed that Biya was "in good health" in Geneva, a place he frequently visits. Moreover, Cameroon's government spokesman, René Sadi, officially refuted the rumors, ensuring that Biya would return home "in the next few days.

"Here are the ten longest-serving African heads of state:

1. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo (Equatorial Guinea) - 41 years in power.

2. Paul Biya (Cameroon) - 41 years in power.

3. Denis Sassou Nguesso (Congo) - a total of 40 years in power.

4. Yoweri Museveni (Uganda) - 38 years of leadership.

5. King Mswati III (Eswatini) - 38 years in power.

6. Idriss Déby (Chad) - 30 years in power until his demise in 2021.

7. Isaias Afwerki (Eritrea) - 31 years in power.

8. Ismail Omar Guelleh (Djibouti) - 25 years in power.

9. King Mohammed VI (Morocco) - 25 years in power.

10. Paul Kagame (Rwanda) - 24 years in power.These leaders have significantly influenced the political landscape of Africa for over a century.