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

Nigeria not considering permitting foreign military bases— Information Minister

Published

1 hour ago

May 7, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

The Nigerian government has denied reports that it is considering permitting the establishment of foreign military bases in the country to combat insurgency and other crimes, as a way of accommodating American and French troops following their expulsion from neighbouring countries like Niger Republic and Chad.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Abuja, said the Federal Government was aware of false alarm being raised in some quarters about discussions with some foreign countries, notably the United States and France, on the siting of foreign military bases in Nigeria.

There have been rumours of late that the United States and the French governments had perfected plans to relocate their military bases from the Sahel to Nigeria, with many Nigerians cautioning the President Bola Tinubu administration from accepting such a proposal as it would pose dangers to the country.

But Idris insisted there were no such plans in the present as the reports were mere rumours which should be disregarded.

“The Federal Government is aware of false alarms being raised in some quarters alleging discussions between the Federal Government of Nigeria and some foreign countries on the siting of foreign military bases in the country,” Idris said in the statement.

“The Federal Government is not in any such discussion with any foreign country.

“We have neither received nor are we considering any proposals from any country on the establishment of any foreign military bases in Nigeria.

“The Nigerian government already enjoys foreign cooperation in tackling ongoing security challenges, and the President remains committed to deepening these partnerships, with the goal of achieving the national security objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

“We urge the general public to totally disregard this falsehood,” the minister said.

Metro

Media manager identifies bureaucratic bottlenecks as hindering access to public information

Published

20 hours ago

May 6, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

As discussions on press freedom persist, Albert Mwiinga, Station Manager of Byta FM, sheds light on the hurdles journalists encounter in accessing public information.

Mwiinga identified bureaucracy as a major obstacle impeding media access to information in Zambia.

Speaking to Zambia Monitor in Choma, Mwiinga identified bureaucracy as a significant barrier hampering journalists’ access to vital public information.

“The media has long grappled with the challenge of accessing information, particularly from public sources, due to entrenched bureaucratic practices,” Mwiinga explained.

He lamented the absence of legislation compelling officials to disclose public information to the media.

“There is currently no legal mechanism to compel officials to share such information, making it exceedingly challenging. Moreover, bureaucratic red tape often exacerbates the situation,” Mwiinga observed.

Mwiinga expressed optimism regarding the potential impact of the Access to Information Bill once it becomes operational, foreseeing enhanced media independence.

“Although progress is being made, journalists remain subject to legal constraints, including defamation and libel laws. The regulatory framework, such as the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA), further complicates matters,” Mwiinga said.

His analysis underscored the persistent bureaucratic hurdles impeding media access to public information in Zambia.

This story is sponsored content from Zambia Monitor’s Project Aliyense.