The government of Equatorial Guinea has tendered its resignation, following an admission from Vice-President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue that it had failed to achieve its stated objectives. Mr Obiang, who is also the son of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, confirmed that the Prime Minister had presented the collective resignation of all government members, citing a performance level of barely 10% against set targets.
While specific targets were not publicly detailed by the Vice-President, a statement from the ruling Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea (PDGE) offered further insight. It indicated that President Obiang had observed the outgoing administration had fostered corruption and had not succeeded in diversifying the nation's economy. The President, the world's longest-serving leader, has governed the oil-rich West African nation since 1979, frequently appointing family members to significant governmental roles.
The outgoing government, led by Prime Minister Manuel Osa Nsue Nsua, was only appointed in 2024. Vice-President Obiang stated on Tuesday that the resignation aligned with the principle that 'responsibility in public management must be accompanied by results,' adding that 'the degree of execution achieved is clearly insufficient in relation to the expectations and commitments undertaken.'
The PDGE's statement further elaborated on the President's dissatisfaction, highlighting the misuse of state resources for personal gain and a significant stagnation in the implementation of crucial development projects. A key criticism was the government's failure to enact policies aimed at diversifying the economy, particularly in the agricultural sector. Such diversification is seen as vital to reduce reliance on imported goods that could be produced domestically.
Equatorial Guinea's economy is heavily dependent on its petroleum reserves, with oil and gas exports forming the vast majority of its revenue. Despite this substantial oil wealth, a significant portion of its 1.8 million population continues to live in poverty. The nation has also experienced an economic decline in recent years, largely due to reduced oil production and a dip in global demand.