Conventional long name: Republic of Equatorial Guinea
Capital city: Malabo Type of Government: republic (although this is the claimed form of government by Equato Guinean officials, some consider it closer in style to a dictatorship due to the president's overwhelming power.) Independence day: 12 October 1968 (from Spain) National Holiday: Independence Day 12 October. Celebrated by the closing of public businesses and festivals in cities. Similar to celebrations for U.S. Independence Day. Head of Government: Prime Minister Vicente Ehate Tomi |
Chief of State: President Brig. Gen. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo
|
Equatorial Guinea's executive branch holds the vast majority of power. The president is elected by popular vote to 7 year terms (there is supposed to be a two term limit, yet President Obiang has been in power since 1979). The president has the power to appoint and dismiss cabinet members and judges, create laws by decree, dissolve the Camara de Representantes del Pueblo (House of People's Representatives), negotiate and ratify treaties, and call legislative elections. The president is also commander in chief of the military and holds strong supervision over it. The prime minister is appointed by the president and has main task of coordinating government activity.
The bicameral legislature consists of the Senate, which has 70 seats (55 elected seats and 15 seats appointed by the president) and Camara de Representantes del Pueblo, which has 100 seats (all elected by popular vote to 4 year terms). The legislature has very little power and often acts only on presidential direction.
The judicial branch consists of the Supreme Court of a chief justice and other judges and the Constitutional Court having a Court president and 4 other members. The judicial branch follows a combination of official and tribal law to settle disputes.
The bicameral legislature consists of the Senate, which has 70 seats (55 elected seats and 15 seats appointed by the president) and Camara de Representantes del Pueblo, which has 100 seats (all elected by popular vote to 4 year terms). The legislature has very little power and often acts only on presidential direction.
The judicial branch consists of the Supreme Court of a chief justice and other judges and the Constitutional Court having a Court president and 4 other members. The judicial branch follows a combination of official and tribal law to settle disputes.
Suffrage: 18 yrs universal
Chief of Mission to U.S.A.: Ambassador Ruben Maye Nsue Mangue Chancery Location in U.S.: 2020 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 Consulate locations in U.S.: Houston U.S. Chief of Mission to Equatorial Guinea: Ambassador Mark L. Asquino U.S. Embassy in Equatorial Guinea: K-3, Carretera de Aeropuerto, Al lado de Restaurante El Paraiso, Malabo There are no general U.S. consulates in Equatorial Guinea Permanent Representative to the U.N.: Ambassador Lino Sima Ekua Avomo |
The six yellow six-pointed stars represent the mainland and 5 islands that make up Equatorial Guinea. The scroll beneath the shield states the country motto, Unidad, Paz, Justicia (Unity, Peace, Justice). Green represents the jungle and natural resources; the white stands for peace; blue symbolizes the water that connects each of the islands and the mainland; red recalls the bloody fight for independence.
National Symbol: silk cotton tree International Disputes: An International Court of Justice decision has caused issues over an island in the gulf of guinea that both Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea claim. The U.N. has urged the resolution of disputes over resource rich islands that Equatorial Guinea claims and Gabon occupies. No reported issues of refugees, stateless persons, or internally displaced groups in Equatorial Guinea. Human Trafficking issues: Children are trafficked from nearby countries to act as domestic servants, market laborers, ambulant vendors, and launderers. Women are also trafficked to Equatorial Guinea from nearby countries and China for forced labor and prostitution. Girls in Equatorial Guinea are sometimes encouraged by their parents to enter the sex trade for benefits such as groceries, housing, and money. Although Equatorial Guinea has laws and a committee in place to lessen human trafficking, neither have attempted to control the issue at all. Illicit drug issues: N/A |