Political Parties and Civil Society Unite Under “NEXOS” to Advocate for Change in Equatorial Guinea

August 07, 2023 at 07:38 AM EDT

--News Direct--

August 7, 2023, Madrid – Prominent opposition figures and civil society activists from Equatorial Guinea have today launched NEXOS, an organisation created to denounce the systematic violation of human rights in the country and to challenge the denial of these crimes by the regime of President Teodoro Obiang. NEXOS was formed following a seminar held in Rivas Vacia-Madrid on 3-4 August to assess the socio-political situation of the country on the 44^th anniversary of Obiang’s military dictatorship.

The NEXOS platform will be spearheaded by prominent jurist Juan Carlos ONDO ANGUE, former President of the Supreme Court of Justice, and is composed of the Movement for the Self-Determination of the Island of Bioko (MAIB), the Movement for the Liberation of Equatorial Guinea Third Republic (MLGE 3R), the Democratic Republican Force (FDR) and the Union for Democracy and Social Development (UDDS) parties, as well as renowned public figures such as Jesus MITOGO OYONO, MP for the Citizens for Innovation (CI) party, writer Donato NDONGO-BIDYOGO, LGBT rights defender Trifonia Melibea OBONO and the director of Radio Macuto Jose Maria OYONO ESENG.

On the founding of NEXOS, Juan Carlos ONDO ANGUE said:

"In the current context of aggravated economic recession and the extreme degradation of political and social freedoms in Equatorial Guinea, progressive forces have united under NEXOS to denounce the regime's systematic violations of human rights perpetrated against dissidents. NEXOS will also fight the constant denial of these crimes against humanity by the ruling military dictatorship, which are part of a state policy conducted for the last 44 years under President Obiang and even during the previous dictatorship of Macias Nguema Biyogo."

“With growing ties to China and Russia, Obiang’s regime poses a risk not just to the future of Equatorial Guinea, but to regional and global security. As Obiang aims to perpetuate his dictatorship through a dynastic succession, NEXOS, an unprecedented coalition, aims to make the international community aware of the urgency to bring about a democratic and peaceful transition to Equatorial Guinea.”

In the coming weeks, NEXOS plans to unveil its next steps and key priorities in their campaign for human rights and a peaceful transition in Equatorial Guinea.

For any enquiries, please contact: info@nexos-ge.org

About Equatorial Guinea:

Equatorial Guinea (EG) currently suffers under the longest and one of the most brutal dictatorships in the world. President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, first seized power from his uncle in 1979. But with the President’s health failing, there is a chance for a democratic transition.
Reports based on US intelligence warn that China plans to establish its first permanent military presence in the Atlantic Ocean in the country.
EG is also one of the countries where the Russian government-linked paramilitary organisation Wagner Group operates. Nearly 200 Wagner troops were reported to be in EG.
The Obiang dynasty has presided over decades of corruption and human rights abuses. His son and current Vice-President, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue will be Obiang’s likely successor.
In France, a longstanding enquiry into ‘ill-gotten gains’ has been dominating the press. Over 100 prized objects and several real estate assets were seized by French authorities in their investigation of corruption and misappropriation of funds.
In Spain, it has been reported that high-level members of Obiang’s regime, including his son and Vice-President, planned to kill various leaders of the opposition based in Madrid. Spanish investors have also lost millions of euros after being allegedly defrauded and extorted by members of Obiang’s family.
Juan Carlos Ondo Angue is the former President of the Supreme Court of Justice of EG. A trained lawyer, he sought to improve the rule of law and governance of Equatorial Guinea and has lived in exile in France since 2018.