Metro

Equatorial Guinean human rights activist, lawyer, wife, detained for criticising President Mbasogo

Published

2 years ago

October 15, 2022

An human right activist and government critic in Equatorial Guinea, Anacleto Micha Nlang, has cried out after being detained without trial for 18 days after he was arrested for criticising President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.

According to a press release by the rights group Nlang co-founded, ‘Guinea is also ours’, he was arrested on September 25 alongside his wife and lawyer after returning from the offices of the Citizens for Innovation (CI) party.

The group which was banned last year by the government, said its co-founder was accused of criticising the President as well as assisting opposition activists.

The group, however, denied that Nlang had rendered support to opposition figures but rather blamed his arrest on attempts by the government to clamp down on dissenting voices.

Part of the group statement said Nlang had “had only delivered food to families under siege at the offices, among whom were women and children, his wife Montserrat Mikue and lawyer Evaristo Nguema,” at the time security forces stormed the office and arrested them.

But state-run media in the Spanish-speaking African country has justified the crackdown on opposition figures as a bid by the government “to counter a foiled plot to carry out attacks on embassies, petrol stations and the homes of ministers,” it said in a nationwide broadcast.

Equitorial Guinea is one of the most authoritarian countries in the world with President Teodoro Mbasogo being in power for over four decades.

After ruling Equitorial Guinea with an iron fist for 43 years, the 80-year-old President Mbasogo, last week, announced he would be seeking a sixth term in office in the forthcoming presidential elections scheduled for November.

Obiang who is one of the longest ruling presidents in the world, has run a dictatorial regime where little or no opposition is allowed while his son, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, is the vice president.

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Metro

Zambian govt successfully repatriates trafficked toddler from Mozambique

Published

10 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Zambian government has announced the successful repatriation of a one-year-eight-month-old child who was trafficked to Mozambique.

Making the announcement at a media briefing held at the Ministry’s head office in Lusaka on Friday, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, Angela Kawandami, expressed relief and joy at the child’s return, following the abduction from Lundazi District in October 2023.

Kawandami revealed that the case was reported to Lundazi Police Station on October 28, 2023, and following intense investigation, the child was trailed to a house in a care facility in Tete, Mozambique, before being repatriated.

Kawandami emphasized government’s commitment to protecting children’s rights, citing the Children’s Code Act of 2022 and the Anti-Human Trafficking Act of 2008 as essential tools in combating child trafficking.

“These laws mandate the state and relevant actors to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of children, especially those at risk of trafficking,” she said.

She further highlighted the role of Zambia’s National Referral Mechanism in ensuring a coordinated, multi-sectoral response to trafficking cases.

“Through effective collaboration between the Ministries of Community Development and Social Services, Home Affairs and Internal Security, the Zambia Police Service’s Anti-Human Trafficking Department, and Interpol, the child was returned safely after a year of continuous efforts,” she narrated.

She urged the public to remain vigilance and report suspected trafficking cases, noting the increasing threat of human trafficking.

Also speaking at the press briefing, the Director for Anti-Human Trafficking in the Ministry of Home Affairs Boris Mulengu, praised the strong cooperation between Zambia and Mozambique, stressing the importance of intergovernmental collaboration in combating trafficking.

Meanwhile, the child’s mother expressed heartfelt gratitude for her child’s safe return, acknowledging the emotional toll the abduction had caused.

She thanked the government and all involved agencies for their unwavering dedication to reuniting her with her child.

Metro

Finland-based Nigerians in panic as authorities search for Simon Ekpa’s sponsors

Published

14 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Some Nigerians based in Finland have been thrown into panic mode following the arrest and detention of the self-styled Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRIGE), Simon Ekpa, who was arrested on Thursday by Finnish authorities on terror-related charges.

Ekpa was arrested alongside four other individuals by Finnish authorities on suspicion of terror-related activities, including incitement to violence and financing terrorism.

The dissident had made himself infamous by using the social media to promote violent activities in southeastern Nigeria, including attacks and murder of civilians and security personnel.

According to some Nigerians in European country, following the arrest of the separatist leader and the four individuals suspected to be sponsors of his group known as IPOB-AutoPilots, the police have begun a manhunt for other sponsors, thus creating panic in the Nigerian community and those who may have had dealings with the agitator.

Several sources who spoke to journalists, said Nigerians in the European country are afraid of commenting on the arrest of Ekpa over fear of being attacked.

A Nigerian community leader, who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation, said that the Igbo community in the was gravely affected by the violent acts of the secessionist group.

“Everyone is afraid to speak about Ekpa’s arrest. The key people in Finland and the Igbo community at large are not ready to lend their voices either,” he said.

He added that some persons were being accused of reporting Ekpa to the police and were being threatened.

“A particular person they accused now, they’re after him. This happened before he (Ekpa) was even remanded; what will happen when they imprison him? Everyone is afraid. These people are very deadly.”

Another Nigerian who spoke acknowledged that there was serious tension among Nigerians in the country.

“People don’t want to speak about Ekpa for fear of being hunted by his followers. We believe that they will hunt whoever comes out to talk about their leader. But the Finnish Government is trying to get rid of the situation.”