E Guinea leader slams govt
2008-07-05 22:22
Malabo - Equatorial Guinea's President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo has accused his oil-producing nation's outgoing government of widespread corruption and security failings over a foiled 2004 coup plot.
Obiang, who has ruled Sub-Saharan Africa's third biggest oil
producer since 1979, made the criticism in a speech late on
Friday responding to the resignation of Prime Minister Ricardo
Mangue Obama Nfube's government following May 4 elections.
In the one-sided polls, Obiang's ruling Democratic Party of
Equatorial Guinea (PDGE), along with coalition allies, won all
but one of the 100 national assembly seats, consolidating the
president's political control over the Gulf of Guinea state.
'Hurt'
Obiang, who is now expected to name a new government, heaped
criticism on the outgoing administration, saying he was "hurt"
by the apparent implication of some of its members in the foiled
2004 conspiracy to topple him by force.
Evidence of this emerged during the trial in Malabo last
month of accused British mercenary Simon Mann, who faces a
possible jail term of nearly 32 years for his role in the coup
plot. Mann is expected to be sentenced by the court on Monday.
Mann testified that the plot was backed and financed by
international businessmen including London-based Lebanese
millionaire Eli Calil and Mark Thatcher, son of former British
Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. The two have denied any role.
The court also heard the coup conspiracy enjoyed some
complicity in Equatorial Guinea's governing circles. A member of
the outgoing government, Administration Minister Fortunato Ofa
Mbo, who was fisheries minister at the time of the 2004 plot,
was accused of failing to report it to the authorities.
"I feel disappointed," President Obiang said. "You can't
make mistakes with the security and stability of the state," he
added, making clear that the new government he would name would
make changes from the outgoing team.
"We must remember that Equatorial Guinea has had nearly 30
years of peace, and we all want that peace. If that peace is
good, we should defend it vigorously," the president said.
Obiang, a former military police officer, overthrew his
dictatorial uncle Francisco Macias Nguema in a 1979 coup.
Corruption
Obiang slammed Mangue Obama's departing administration for
failing to do more to tackle graft.
"There's still lots of corruption, and especially in this
government," he said, adding he had evidence of this.
"I have the copies of financial transfers to foreign
companies and banks," he said, without elaborating.
"We must put an end to the mafia," he said.
Obiang added he would eventually give up power "with honour".
"I'm not going to stay," he said, without giving details.