KISINGA RHODA NDUKU

C01/136279/2019

MODULE II DAY CLASS

CAP 304; RESOURCE CONFLICT

EQUATORIAL GUINEA CASE STUDY

Equatorial Guinea a country in Central Africa region, currently ranked among the poorest nations
on earth, as many of its citizens live below the poverty line. Despite the fact that this country is
rich in oil, which is estimated to bring a lot of profits in this country. Hence raising a lot of
questions why the country still remains poor. Let’s have a look at the issues that might have led
to poverty in this country.

One is Embezzlement of funds, where their leaders have been convicted of fraud, owning big
mansions that are worth million dollars, expensive cars and spending public money on their
personal issues. The money from the oil companies is deposited directly to their leader’s
personal accounts. This is according to a report by the American senate subcommittee in 2004.

The items that the vice president uses are worth million dollars, of which many items he got,
only high profile and well-known musicians can afford. Funny enough is that all those items are
bought using public funds, these funds can be used to support their economy and get their own
citizens out of the poverty. At least support the citizens kill hunger, eradicate poverty, that will
also lead to a peaceful community.

Moving forward, it is a shame that Equatorial Guinea got the highest GDP on paper, with the
poorest citizens. all these because of their poor leader, with very bad leadership skills. Leaders
who abuse public office and power, leaders who are only led by their personal interests
forgetting the needs of the people who voted them in the office. This is Evil right?

But this raises lots of questions. Don’t the citizens of this country exercise their political right of
voting? As for every sovereign state, there is a rule of law to be followed. Every person is
accountable to laws that are publicly promulgated, equally enforced and independently
adjudicated, that clearly defines the roles of every citizen despite their position and rank.

It’s clear that the leaders of Equatorial Guinea are always above the law. Of which this should
not be the case, they control every single institution, and let everything fall in their favor. Its out
of logic to have a candidate winning the general elections with a 94% of the total votes. This is
impossible and it is crystal clear that the leaders over power their electoral bodies, so that they
may win during the elections and have one family ruling the county. Monarchy at its best, family
dictatorship

Nepotism in Equatorial Guinea is the talk of the day, and a norm in this central African country.
Their president, and the first vice president are all from the same family. The father having
served for forty-two years now as the president, that can’t be enough for the family to excuse
other citizens and at least have them lead the country. Its out of logic to be the president and your
son being the vice president.

As if that not being enough, the first ladies’ brother is the head of the largest oil and gas
company in the country. I mean we have so many citizens in the country, and one family can’t be
getting all the prestigious jobs in the country. The citizens of Equatorial Guinea, need to wake up
out of their deep slumber and fight for their positions. As a matter of fact, we have so many
highly skilled and experienced citizens, who can run the roles and save the country.

Autocracy is an old-fashioned mode of ruling, let the president involve all citizens of the country
in planning and decision making for this country to improve its economy. Equatorial Guinea,
need to be freed from the oppressive and cruel government. Citizens need to be allowed to
exercise their right to vote for the right candidate, for once let them have free and fair elections

Most importantly, since the country is rich in oil and gas, let the government be responsible for
all the resources, that should also be allocated to all citizens equally. It makes no sense to have
the highest gross domestic Product on paper, yet the citizens live below two dollars a day. Let
the citizens also get to enjoy the resources of their motherland

An equal distribution of resources won’t hurt. Transparency and accountability among the
leaders are essential in this central African country. Let social facilities be improved, citizens of
Equatorial Guinea deserve the best medical health care services, good and quality education. No
one enjoys being poor, and since the country is in rich in resources, let everyone get their equal
portion.