Freedom in the World 1998 - Equatorial Guinea

1998 Scores

Status: Not Free
Freedom Rating: 7.0
Civil Liberties: 7
Political Rights: 7

Overview

Equatorial Guinea president, Teodoro Obiang Nguema M'basogo, reinforced his dominance over his country's political life in November legislative elections that saw his ruling Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea (PDGE) retain its large parliamentary majority in elections neither free nor fair. Corruption and brutality continue to mark the life of Equatorial Guinea and scar the lives of its roughly 425,000 citizens. A rare but remarkable window into the workings of one of the world's most venal and violent regimes was offered in May when the Obiang regime allowed journalists and other observers to attend a trial in the capital, Malabo, of 117 people charged in connection with a January attack on barracks on the oil-rich island of Bioko. The attack was blamed on the Bioko Island Self-Determination Movement (MAIB), which is based among the Bubi people native to the island. They have long been excluded from national power by the country's Fang majority and are now excluded from any real share of the new oil wealth from their home area. The trial, dismissed by independent observers as grossly unfair, returned 11 death sentences and 75 long prison sentences. Defendants were apparently tortured, and eight Spanish journalists were expelled before the verdict was returned. One MAIB leader, 58 year old Martin Puye, died after being jailed under conditions Amnesty International described as tantamount to "slow execution." In September, however, the regime commuted the death sentences under strong international pressure.

The Obiang regime has sought to improve its international image to convince donors to resume international aid largely suspended after security forces' violence against oppositionists during rigged 1993 legislative polls. Nguema and his backers, almost all from his Esangui clan, seem unable to rise above the political gangsterism that has characterized their rule for three decades. New oil wealth could help raise living standards in the desperately poor land, but there is no sign that the new revenues are being treated as much more than a personal windfall for Obiang and his cronies.

Following 190 years of Spanish control, Equatorial Guinea achieved independence in 1968. It has since been one of the world's most tightly closed and violently repressive societies. President Obiang seized power in 1979 by deposing and murdering his uncle, Francisco Macias Nguema. He was declared victor of another seven year presidential term in a February 1996 election contest that resembled a free and fair election in neither form nor conduct. Despite electoral trappings, the country is effectively ruled by a small clique close to President Obiang.

Pressure from donor countries demanding democratic reforms prompted Obiang to proclaim a new "era of pluralism" in January 1992. Political parties were legalized and multiparty elections announced. Three elections since have been mockeries of the democratic process. Opposition parties are continually harassed and intimidated. Unlawful arrests, beatings, and torture remain commonplace.

Political Rights and Civil Liberties

Equatorial Guinea's citizens are unable to change their government through peaceful, democratic means. The November legislative elections for the 85 member House of People's Representatives were manipulated by the regime. The February 1996 presidential election, too, was neither free nor fair, marred by official intimidation, a near-total boycott by the political opposition, and very low voter turnout. Opposition parties were widely believed to have won in September 1995 municipal elections overwhelmingly. The regime's official results, released eleven days after balloting, reported a unconvincing but unsurprising landslide victory by the ruling Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea (PDGE).

There are persistent reports of torture by soldiers and police to extract confessions. Prisons conditions are extremely harsh for all inmates, and Black Beach prison in Malabo, the capital, is described by survivors as hellish. The judiciary is not independent, and laws on search and seizure as well as detention are routinely ignored by security forces, who act with impunity.

President Obiang's wields broad decree-making powers, and effectively bars public participation in the policymaking process. The November 1991 constitution prohibits the impeachment of the head of state. Opposition parties, while legal, may not be organized on an ethnic, regional or provincial basis. Each recognized party must pay a prohibitive deposit of CFA 30,000,000 (approximately U.S.$60,000). Opposition activists face harassment, arrest, and torture, particularly outside the capital. The Progress Party (PP), whose exiled leader Severo Moto was sentenced to over 100 years imprisonment in absentia for an alleged coup conspiracy, was banned in 1997. Dozens of members of the Convergence for Social Democracy party (CPDS) and the Republican Democratic Force party (FDR) and other parties, who were arrested in mid-1997, were reportedly tortured.

With partial exception for members of legalized political parties, neither freedom of association nor freedom of assembly are allowed. Opposition demonstrations without prior authorization were banned in 1993. Any gathering of ten or more people for purposes the government deems political is illegal. There are no free trade unions. Freedom of movement is also restricted as citizens and residents must obtain permission for travel both within the country and abroad.

Nearly all media are state-run and tightly-controlled. A few small independent newspapers publish occasionally but exercise considerable self-censorship, and all journalists must be registered. Criticism of the president is not tolerated. Some underground pamphlets appear irregularly. The regime sponsored an August 1997 conference on the importance of an independent press to democracy in Africa, apparently gleaning that it must continue to repress media to prevent democracy. At the end of May, eight Spanish journalists were expelled, and the country's foreign minister lashed out at international media coverage.

Constitutional and legal protections of equality for women are largely ignored. Traditional practices discriminate against women and few gain educational opportunities or participate in the formal economy of government. Violence against women is reportedly widespread. About 80 percent of the population is Roman Catholic, and freedom of individual religious practice is generally respected, although President Obiang has warned the clergy against interfering in political affairs. In July, the archbishop of Malabo, Father Obama, was reported as stating that local authorities now require priests to obtain permission before conducting mass after the Church denounced "the constant violation of human rights, social injustice, and corruption in Equatorial Guinea"

Unions are permitted by the constitution, but no law enabling their formation has been enacted. Strikes are barred. Membership in the ruling party is a prerequisite for nearly all government jobs and now for positions in the expanding oil industry. Billions of investment dollars by U.S. oil company Mobil, France's Total, and other companies has, as yet, done little to alleviate the grinding poverty of the largely agricultural and rural work force.