Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, Africa’s longest-serving ruler, was poised yesterday to extend his 43 years in power in the oil-rich country amid accusations of voting irregularities from the opposition. In previous elections, Obiang has never received less than 90 per cent of the vote, and one of the two opposition candidates said yesterday the ruling party appeared to be again committing electoral fraud. Andres Esono told journalists that his party had been receiving complaints all day from across the Central African nation, with many voters saying they were forced to cast ballots publicly rather than in secret. “What he is doing is massive fraud, even worse than on previous occasions,” Esono said of the 80-year-old incumbent. Esono was one of only two candidates running against Obiang in yesterday’s election. Fourteen of the country’s opposition parties joined an alliance with the authoritarian regime, which critics have long accused of intimidation, torture and corruption. In the streets of the capital, Malabo, Obiang’s posters have flooded public spaces in recent weeks with the message: “Vote for the right way, vote for continuity”. Only a handful of opposition posters could be seen. At a campaign event in Mongomo last week, the president shouted to the crowds: “Who’s your papa?” He urged voters to keep him in power, warning of the risks of political upheaval.