Dictator known as ‘The Boss’ branded the cruellest leader on the planet
THIS is the man who led a bloody coup against his own uncle to become the cruellest dictator on the planet.
Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo is not a widely known name -- but the president of Equatorial Guinea known as 'The Boss' is the longest serving world leader.
And it is no accident that he has stayed in power for so long, because his iron-fisted rule leaves no room for dissent or opposition.
So ruthless is the 74-year-old that human rights experts have declared him worse than Robert Mugabe.
Painting himself as a holy figure in direct contact with God, Mbasogo, 74, strikes fear into his detractors with show trials and torturing of so-called enemies of the people.
He has even been accused of CANNIBALISM, allegedly believing that eating the flesh of his opponents gives him more strength.
Mbasogo rose to power in 1979 after overthrowing his uncle's own brutal dictatorship.
'El Jefe', or 'The Boss', promised to oversee a transition to a peaceful liberal democracy for the central African state after executing his war criminal relative by firing squad.
But he quickly earned the nickname 'torturer in chief' after creating a ruthless state terror machine.
In a recent example of this in action, in 2010 he abducted four men living in exile in Benin.
They were charged with attempting to bring down his rule before being brutally tortured to extract confessions.
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Amnesty International, the human rights group, has declared the multi-millionaire's rule as being completely without respect for basic freedoms.
Elections have been riddled with accusations of rigging.
In a recent report on the state of impoverished Equatorial Guinea, it said: "Although the law guarantees freedom of expression, assembly and association, those freedoms have not been respected.
"The virtual absence of a free press in Equatorial Guinea inhibits public debate, including in relation to the election.
"Opposition political parties' access to official media is restricted, putting them at a disadvantage, particularly in competing for elected office.
"Biased coverage in the government-controlled media heavily favours the ruling party."
But despite this, Mbasogo has used his propaganda machine to award himself God-like status.
In 2003, state-run radio claimed he was "the country's God", with "power over men and things."
It said the president was "in permanent contact with the Almighty" and "can decide to kill anyone calling him to account without going to hell."
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