The vote to reinstall Teodoro Obiang Nguema will be hard to judge since journalists have been unable to get visas, and African observers must be escorted by government employees and must not make “disparaging remarks,’’ according to a presidential decree.
Western governments, meanwhile, are accused of turning a blind eye to corruption and repression, their eyes firmly fixed on the West African nation’s abundant oil and gas reserves.
“Elections here have become a game,’’ said Dr. Wenceslao Mansogo Alo, human rights representative of the main opposition Convergence for Social Democracy.
Obiang has announced that he will win more than the 97.1 percent garnered in the 2002 election. “I am the people’s candidate and I don’t see anyone who can go against the will of the people,’’ Obiang, 67, said at a rally.
A news release from one of two US lobbying firms employed by the Obiang administration said the country has “undertaken an ambitious effort to ensure an open election process.’’
“The government of
Source: Africa World Time