Maha Christopher
Equatorial Guinea’s government has resigned after failing to meet key performance targets, prompting criticism from President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo over alleged corruption and poor governance.
According to the BBC, Vice-President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue announced that Prime Minister Manuel Osa Nsue Nsua had submitted the resignation of the entire cabinet after the administration achieved less than 10 per cent of its objectives.
Obiang, who is also the son of the president, said the decision was based on the principle that public officials must be judged by their results.
“The degree of execution achieved is clearly insufficient in relation to the expectations and commitments undertaken,” he said in a post on X.
A statement issued by the ruling Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea (PDGE) said President Obiang was dissatisfied with the outgoing government’s performance, accusing it of poor economic management, corruption and misuse of public resources.
According to the statement, the president noted that the government “lacked dynamism regarding the economy” and “misused state resources at the expense of personal interests fostered by corruption for illicit enrichment.”
The ruling party also said several development projects had stalled under the administration and criticised its failure to diversify the country’s economy beyond oil.
The president was particularly concerned that the government failed to implement policies aimed at boosting sectors such as agriculture and local production, which could reduce dependence on imported goods.
The government was appointed in 2024, with Manuel Osa Nsue Nsua serving as prime minister.
President Obiang, who has ruled the oil-rich Central African nation since 1979, is the world’s longest-serving head of state. His administration has frequently faced criticism over governance and the concentration of power among family members and close allies.
Equatorial Guinea’s economy remains heavily dependent on petroleum exports, with oil and gas accounting for the majority of government revenue and foreign earnings.
Despite its vast oil wealth, poverty remains widespread among the country’s estimated 1.8 million people, while economic growth has slowed in recent years due to declining oil production and weaker global demand.
A new government is expected to be appointed in the coming days as President Obiang seeks to reshape his administration and address concerns over economic management and public sector performance.
