President Teodoro Obiang has jailed many of his opponents and ruthlessly maintained his grip over Equatorial Guinea, despite corruption scandals and extreme economic inequality
The world’s longest-ruling dictator, boosted by vast oil wealth and strong U.S. support, is expected to extend his 43 years in power in Equatorial Guinea this week when official results are announced in the latest election.
His government is propped up by U.S. companies that have invested billions of dollars in its oil and gas industry, and by diplomatic support from U.S. officials who are keen to prevent the country from falling into China’s sphere of influence. Washington was alarmed last year when reports suggested that China could use Equatorial Guinea as the site for its first naval base on the Atlantic Ocean.
He was convicted of embezzlement in France in 2017. Many of his assets – including luxury cars and mansions – were seized by authorities in Switzerland, France and the United States after corruption investigations in each of those countries. He was also subjected to British anti-corruption sanctions.
Critics, however, said the election was rigged. Human-rights activist Tutu Alicante, executive director of non-profit group EG Justice, said he had received reports of “flagrant violations” in the voting on Sunday and in the leadup to the election. “They’re voting for Obiang out of fear,” Mr. Alicante said. “In most of the country, the vote was cooked the day before the election.”
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