Equatorial Guinea: oil, power and the Obiang political dynasty

Date: 2014-07-11

Time: 09:30 to 11:15

Venue: Dutch Embassy, 210 Florence Ribeiro (Queen Wilhelmina Avenue), Cnr Muckleneuk Street, Pretoria (map)

RSVP: Sipiwe Sanqcu
Phone: +27 12 346 9500
Email: [email protected]

Since the start of oil production in the mid-nineties, Equatorial Guinea has become Africa’s wealthiest nation on a per-capita basis – but also one of the most corrupt and least transparent.

The country is due to hold presidential elections in 2015 or 2016 and the current president, Teodoro Obiang Nguema, who has been in power since 1979, is set to stand again.

He is widely expected to win although many believe Obiang may then hand over the reigns of power to his son, Teodorino, who is best known for his expensive taste in sports cars and real estate.

Based on the fragile state of government institutions, the absence of a vibrant civil society, and the monopolisation of economic and political power by one family, this transition will likely bring more uncertainty and instability.

This seminar will examine the current regime, its efforts to gain international legitimacy in spite of rampant corruption and human rights violations, the regional implications of some of these efforts, and prospects for socio-economic and political reform in the country.

Chair: Stephanie Wolters, Head, Conflict prevention and Risk Analysis division, ISS Pretoria 

Speaker: Tutu Alicante, Executive Director, EG Justice 

Media coverage of this event:

The Guardian