Equatorial Guinea - They Say, We Say...

Other countries say...

"Equatorial Guinea suffered a severe human rights setback in May 2002 when a special tribunal convicted 68 prisoners and their relatives and sentenced them 6 to 20 years in prison for an alleged attempted coup d’etat. Among the prisoners were leaders of the three main opposition parties that had remained independent from President Obiang's ruling party. There were numerous irregularities associated with the trial, including evidence of torture and a lack of substantive proof. In August 2003, 31 of these convicted prisoners were granted a presidential amnesty." US State Department

"Police and military roadblocks are common. You may be asked to show your passport, driving licence or vehicle registration documents and explain your reason for being in the area. Failure to comply with requests can lead to detention.

There are regular reports of extortion by police and uniformed security forces at roadblocks. You are advised not to pay bribes but to ask for a ticket, detailing alleged offences or violations, which can be paid at a local court." UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Equatorial Guinea says...

"The President of the Republic H.E Obiang Nguema on Sunday had a meeting at the People,s Palace of Malabo starting from 10.00 pm with Vicky Baile the Secretary of Energy of the United States. Madam Baile arrived Malabo in the night of the above mentioned day and rested during three days consecutively in the capital of the country in safe guarding contacts with the authorities of the Guinean Government.

"At the course of this meeting with the President of the Republic, the Secretary of Energy of the government of President George W. Bush of the United States was invited to a dinner at the people’s Palace. Madam Vicky Baile made this journey in Guinea accompanied by several american civil servants.

"In front of the National Press, Vicky declared that during her talks with President Obiang Nguema, they evoked their friendly relations in a general manner that existed between Equatorial Guinea and the United States above all on the subjects of electric energy in the insular region of Bioko. On the other part she emphasized that they have examined with a particular attention the aspect of Hydrocarbon exploitation of gas and petroleum, the transfer of technologies and the constitution of human resources in the domain of enterprises. It is to be noticed here that after this meeting, Obiang Nguema Mbasogo undertook at 1.00 am a private journey for a brief visit of 48hours in Johannesburg Capital of South Africa."Institutional Website of Equatorial Guinea.