• The president of Equatorial Guinea, who has been in power for 43 years, is running for reelection.
• Several opponents are competing, although it is unlikely that they will succeed.
• The president has a firm grip on the oil-rich country, and members of his family hold important government positions.

The 80-year-old president Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo has ruled during a period of purported human rights violations, including torture and disappearances.

Several opponents are running, although it is unlikely that they will succeed.

The president has a firm grip on the oil-rich country, and members of his family hold important government positions.

Teodoro “Teodorin” Nguema Obiang Mangue, his eccentric son and the nation’s vice-president, has led a wealthy life in the US and Europe and, according to UK officials, even owns a pricey crystal-covered glove that was formerly held by Michael Jackson.

Professor Ana Lici Sá stated that the “elections are purely cosmetic.”

Nothing will change, according to Professor Sá of the University Institute of Lisbon, who specialises in politics and authoritarian African governments. She also stated that she was “confident Obiang will be elected with more than 95%” of the vote.

Activist Tutu Alicante agreed, telling the news agency Reuters that “people will vote on Sunday as the government expects them to since you cannot openly speak out your mind in Equatorial Guinea.”

Mr. Alicante continued, “The opposition has no chance.” “He will take every necessary action to maintain his position of power.”

The absence of a free press greatly restricts political opposition, as all broadcast media are either directly owned by the government or under its influence.

President Obiang, who has previously denied rights violations and election manipulation, is reportedly trying to improve his reputation abroad. The UN applauded the government’s decision to abolish the death penalty in September.

As a “political weapon,” poverty

The oil-rich West African country’s President Obiang, who has withstood multiple coup attempts, came to power in 1979 following a military takeover. He made modest changes after succeeding his predecessor and uncle, Francisco Macias Nguema, but he kept Nguema’s total power over the country.

Thousands of people died during Nguema’s tenure, and Equatorial Guinea experienced a mass exodus. Nguema was later put to death.

According to Professor Sá, President Obiang has been able to hold onto power by controlling “the terms of the political game” and employing the country’s poverty as a “political weapon.”

She added that “electoral laws were created to ensure Obiang will never relinquish power.”

Critics claim that the nation has a history of rigged elections. In the presidential elections held in December 2002, according to officials, President Obiang received more than 97% of the votes. Candidates from the opposition withdrew from the election, citing fraud and irregularities.

Elections in 2009 and 2016 also produced similar results, according to reports.

The Obiang government has also been accused of corruption when his son Teodorin Obiang was punished by a French court for using tax dollars to support a lavish lifestyle there. Since then, Mr. Obiang’s French assets have been taken.

The vice-president, who stands a strong chance of succeeding his father, was also penalised by the UK in 2021 as part of an anti-corruption campaign.

Vice President Obiang has asserted his innocence. Additionally, President Obiang has repeatedly refuted accusations of corruption.

For Sunday’s election, more than 300,000 people have registered to vote.

What you should be aware of regarding Equatorial Guinea

Francisco Macias Nguema served as president of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea after Spanish Guinea attained independence in 1968.

The two presidents of the nation, Francisco Macias Nguema and President Teodoro Obiang Nguema, have been dubbed by rights organisations as some of the worst rights violators in Africa.

A large portion of the 1.4 million people living there have not benefited from the massive oil riches that were discovered in 1996, and poverty is still pervasive.

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