Skip to main content
Support
Blog post

Equatorial Guinea: Going Behind Obiang Nguema’s Appeal for a National Dialogue

By appealing for a national for dialogue with all of the country's political parties on August 29th, President Teodoro Obiang Nguema has taken a step towards democracy.  But exiled opposition leaders remain unconvinced of the sincerity of his approach.  Why is this the case?

En lançant le 29 août un appel au dialogue national de tous les partis politiques équato-guinéens, le président Teodoro Obiang Nguema a fait un pas vers la démocratie. Mais il reste à convaincre l'opposition en exil de la sincerité de sa démarche. Explications.

This article was translated from French. Click here to read the original from Jeune Afrique.

 On the 29th of August, Teodoro Obiang Nguema (President of Equatorial Guinea for 35 years) surprised everyone.  During a solemn speech at the People's Palace of Malabo he called on all Equatorial Guinean political leaders, including those living in exile, to meet in November for a large national dialogue.  According to Obiang, this is about "deepening democratic progress" the country has been making.  For Samuel Denantes Teulade, Secretary of the France-Equatorial Guinea Association, the President "now tacitly recognizes his country's democratic deficit, and the existence of exiled political opponents…this already a big change."

Democratic openness has not been Obiang's strong suit.  The 72 year old has ruled the country with an iron fist ever since he toppled and had his uncle Francisco Marcias Nguema executed. The authorized opposition was then reduced to a trickle, with political spectrum made up of the Convergence for Social Democracy (CDPS are allowed a deputy and an elected senator), and a string of small satellite parties loyal to the ruling Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea (PDGE).

Historic Meeting

The CDPS first began meeting with members of Obiang's cabinet in December of this year.  "El Presidente" then organized a second meeting with the CDPS at the People's Palace on February 14th.   Obiang subsequently asked Andres Esono Ondo's CDPS party to meet and organize exiled opposition leaders in Madrid, inviting them all to a national dialogue.  This historic gathering occurred on March 22nd in the Spanish capital, and gave birth to the "Madrid Manifesto".  The decree was signed by political representatives, members of civil society, intellectuals… almost everyone, except for the notable exception of the Coalition d'Opposition pour la Restauration d'un État Démocratique (CORED), created on September 2013 in Paris, and made up of 13 political parties that have been exiled in Africa, North America, and Europe.

Obiang's appeal is a "masquerade" according Raimundo Ela Nsang, CORED's Executive Secretary.  He says that CORED is still awaiting the ratification of certain guarantees promised by the manifesto, such as the arrival of international observers and the liberation of political prisoners in Equatorial Guinea.  Furthermore and above all else, CORED members still fear for their safety.

Unilateral Appeal

After returning to Malabo in March, CDPS representatives hit a wall trying to get Obiang to respect the Madrid Manifesto.  "We have not been able to meet with him" says Wenceslao Mansogo, head of international relations for CDPS. "He has not followed through, and has launched his new appeal for a national dialogue unilaterally and on his own terms."

According to the roadmap drawn up by the man in power, all political opposition parties must come to Malabo and register themselves by October 31st in order to be legalized.  The parties would be accredited by the 3rd of the November, with the national dialogue scheduled to take place on the 15th of the month.  "This is not serious a serious effort!" says Wenceslao Mansogo.  "Last week, Avelino Mocache (former member of the Obiang affiliated Union Populaire) attempted to register her new political party — L'Union de Centre Droite.  Her documents were confiscated and her organization was not permitted to register…"

This makes parties like CORED more nervous, and the group has already announced that it will not be participating in the upcoming national dialogue in Malabo.  In a statement published on the 8th of September, the CDPS also questioned the ongoing lack of collaboration around the upcoming debate, and once more drew attention to the grievances expressed in the Madrid Manifesto.  "Obiang cannot be both the judge and jury", repeats Mansogo.  "This dialogue is already off to a bad start."

This article was translated by Matthew LaLime, Staff Intern with the Africa Program at the Wilson Center.

Related Program

Africa Program

The Africa Program works to address the most critical issues facing Africa and US-Africa relations, build mutually beneficial US-Africa relations, and enhance knowledge and understanding about Africa in the United States. The Program achieves its mission through in-depth research and analyses, public discussion, working groups, and briefings that bring together policymakers, practitioners, and subject matter experts to analyze and offer practical options for tackling key challenges in Africa and in US-Africa relations.    Read more