Equatorial Guinea’s Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue accused France of being behind “attempts to destabilize” and “efforts to undermine peace” in his country. The statement, published Monday on X, marks a rare diplomatic attack on Paris.
Background: The Awarding of an Exiled Opposition Figure
Obiang’s remarks came two days after opposition activist Alfredo Okenve, who lives in exile in Spain, received the French-German Human Rights Prize, a move Malabo denounced as a “reward for betraying the homeland.”
“The French government rewards those who spread hatred and encourages them to undermine peace and act against their own culture and people,” said the vice president, holding Paris responsible for “all attempts to destabilize Equatorial Guinea.”
Allegations of a Coup Plot and Foreign Involvement
Obiang also referred to what he described as a “coup attempt” in December 2017, which he claimed involved members of the French intelligence services.
He further accused France of “seizing the country’s assets through organizations such as Transparency International,” adding that “Africa is tired of such maneuvers, which have also targeted Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.”
Legal Background Heightening Tensions
The escalation comes amid an ongoing legal dispute between Paris and Malabo. In 2021, the Paris Court of Appeal sentenced Teodoro Obiang Mangue to three years in prison (suspended) and a €30 million fine for corruption, money laundering, and embezzlement of public funds.
Tensions also persist over confiscated properties in France tied to the so-called “ill-gotten gains” case, notably a luxury mansion on Avenue Foch in Paris valued at €100 million.
In September 2024, the International Court of Justice rejected Equatorial Guinea’s request to block the sale of the property, upholding France’s right to dispose of it.
A New Diplomatic Rift Looms
These accusations add to the growing strain in France’s relations with several African countries, which increasingly accuse Paris of interfering in their internal affairs. The episode reflects a broader African shift toward asserting sovereignty and reducing French influence on the continent.
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