27 Jun 2006: ISS Today: Equatorial Guinea: Dogs of War Shown as Braying Asses

27 June 2006: Dogs of War shown as braying asses

Sunday Times, Johannesburg

 

A new book on a failed coup attempt on Equatorial Guinea in 2004 reveals plotter Simon Mann’s plan to seize the island and his avaricious scheme to keep it, writes Rowan Philip. But as author Adam Roberts relates, arrogance on the part of the conspirators ensured that the only coup pulled off that day was by the South African Intelligence Service: The Wonga Coup, set for release in South Africa in mid-July.

 

Commentary

 

Privately financed and managed coups continue to be a curse upon the African continent. However, details of such events as well as their motives generally remain shrouded in secrecy. For example, details of the 1973 military coup attempt on Equatorial Guinea have only recently emerged as a result of the unsealing of former British secret papers in accordance with the 30-year rule.

 

This is why the recently published book by Adam Roberts, The Wonga Coup focussing on the March 2004 coup attempt in Equatorial Guinea, based on interviews of participants and secret documents from jailed leader, Simon Mann’s Johannesburg office has captured the imagination.

 

The book’s preview reveals a fascinating retinue of characters, revelling in the Johannesburg restaurants while openly plotting to seize, hold, write a constitution and administer the tiny, oil-rich state while making generally dismissive comments about African leadership. Significantly, the evidence gathered is not only credible but is so fresh that it may be submitted in an impending Pretoria Magistrates Court indictment against Greg Wales and David Tremain. Finally, the manner in which the coup attempt has been handled so far by South African intelligence, Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea, may provide the first steps to dissuade would-be European privateers from launching further adventures in Africa.

 

Martin Rupiya