Equatorial Guinea’s veteran ruler, Teodoro Obiang Nguema, on Wednesday named his son Teodorin Nguema Obiang vice president of the tiny oil-rich nation, in charge of defence and security.

Obiang, who seized power in a military coup in 1979 and was re-elected again in April with 93.7 percent of the vote, promoted the 47-year-old second vice-president by a presidential decree read on state television.Obiang senior is currently Africa’s longest-serving leader.

Obiang junior is wanted in France on suspicion of embezzlement, corruption and stealing public funds.