Teodoro obiang nguema mbasogo biography of rory

Many important buildings have a presidential lodge, many towns and cities have streets commemorating Obiang's coup against Macías, and many people wear clothes with his face printed on them.^[10][11]

Like his predecessor and other African dictators such as Idi Amin and Mobutu Sese Seko, Obiang has assigned to himself several creative titles.

International human rights organizations have repeatedly criticized Obiang’s regime for its corruption, as the wealth from oil has not been invested in infrastructure, education, or public health, leaving the majority of the population marginalized.

Under Obiang’s rule, Equatorial Guinea became one of the most corrupt countries in the world, with an elite few controlling vast resources while the general populace remained deprived of basic services.

Despite these comments, he still claims that he is a devout Catholic and was invited to the Vatican by John Paul II and again by Benedict XVI. Macías had also proclaimed himself a god.^[9]

Obiang has encouraged his cult of personality by ensuring that public speeches end in well-wishing for himself rather than for the republic.

He began to consolidate power within his family and the military, ensuring that no other political forces could threaten his rule.

Obiang introduced a new constitution and political system that, on paper, presented a more modern governance structure. Although opposition parties were legalized in 1992, 99 members of the 100-seat parliament are either members of the PDGE or are aligned with it, and there is little opposition to presidential decisions.

The opposition is barely tolerated; indeed, a 2006 article in Der Spiegel quoted Obiang as asking, "What right does the opposition have to criticize the actions of a government?"^[2] The opposition is severely hampered by the lack of a free press as a vehicle for their views.

Among them are "gentleman of the great island of Bioko, Annobón and Río Muni."^[12] He also refers to himself as El Jefe (the boss).^[13]

Wealth

Forbes magazine has said that he is one of the wealthiest heads of state, with a net worth of US$600 million.^[14] Official sources have complained that Forbes is wrongly counting state property as personal property.^[15]

In 2003, Obiang told his citizenry that he felt compelled to take full control of the national treasury in order to prevent civil servants from being tempted to engage in corrupt practices.

He granted amnesty to political prisoners and ended the previous regime's system of forced labor. His legacy is one of economic transformation for a small elite, widespread poverty for the majority of the population, and an unbroken hold on power achieved through repression, patronage, and manipulation.

As Obiang ages, the future of Equatorial Guinea remains uncertain.

On 25 January 2002, the Institute for Advanced Strategic and Political Studies, a Jerusalem-based think tank, sponsored a forum on “African Oil: A Priority for U.S. National Security and African Development” at the University Club in Washington, D.C. According to the Institute, "West African oil is what can help stabilize the Middle East, end Muslim terror, and secure a measure of energy security.

"Who's Africa's Worst Dictator?". "But Mugabe may not be Africa's worst. 5 May 2006. Retrieved 2007-11-01. 

The challenge for Equatorial Guinea, and the ultimate question regarding Obiang’s legacy, is whether the country can ever break free from the shadow of authoritarian rule and transition to a more democratic and inclusive political system.