Equatorial Guinea

By Andy Richardson in Africa on January 30th, 2012
Libya meet Equatorial Guinea in the opening match at the Africa Cup of Nations

It was a scene that must come close to defining irony - Equatorial Guinea's President Teodoro Obiang introducing himself to the Libyan players at the opening ceremony of the Africa Cup of Nations with a big smile.

Since the departure of Muammar Gaddafi, Obiang has taken the prize of being the longest serving leader in Africa. His country is effectively a one-party state and human rights abuses are well documented. Sound familiar?

The Libyan team is a group of players who talk optimistically about the new values they hope their country can represent.

But, in Equatorial Guinea, the people are often too frightened to even mention politics.

Last year alone a state radio broadcaster was fired on air just for mentioning Libya. He foolishly tried to evade the official news blackout on pro-democracy protests.

A recent conversation with a taxi driver is indicative.

By Yvonne Ndege in Africa on November 28th, 2009

It was 8am on Thursday, 26 of November, 2009 in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, when the call came in. The caller spoke French and said he was Chief Protocol Officer for His Excellency President Theodoro Obiang of Equatorial Guinea.

He said the President had agreed to my interview request and that my cameraman and I needed to be ready in 15 minutes as Presidential Protocol Officers were on the way to pick us up. I wanted to scream "NO" - I have a whole day of filming planned on an oil platform in the Gulf of Guinea, West Africa for my report about Equatorial Guinea's oil wealth.

But I knew I was in no position to say no.

Al Jazeera Live

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