If you read The Dogs of War or saw the movie, you already know Equatorial Guinea. If you know about Kim Jong-il, Omar Al Bashir, Robert Mugabe or any other world-class dictators you know Teodoro Obiang, the thug who runs the country. His enemies are raped, maimed and executed. The lucky ones wind up in "Black Bich" prison where they are bent into grotesque shapes and beaten on the soles of the feet until they lose use of their arms and legs. His country is the third largest exporter of oil in Africa, but his people barely have enough to eat. Teodoro maintains mansions throughout the United States and Europe. He is a thief, a tyrant and a violator of the most basic human rights. And, oh yes, Condoleeza Rice welcomed him to the State Department a couple of years ago as a "good friend of the United States."
-- Frank Ruddy, Former U.S. Ambassador to Equatorial Guinea

Since independence in 1968, Equatorial Guinea has been ruled by two men - from the same family - who have been described by a variety of human rights organisations as among the worst abusers of human rights in Africa.
-- BBC Country Profile

USEFUL LINKS

'Who's Africa's Worst Dictator?' (Why Don't We Hear More about Equatorial Guinea)
Slate June 24, 2008
'The Colbertian Guide to Foreign Policy Coverage'
Harpers Magazine May 21, 2008
'US launches ‘good boat diplomacy’ in Africa'
FT Times April 14, 2008
'A Touch of Crude'
Mother Jones January/February 2005 Issue
'Oil Money and Corruption in Equatorial Guinea'
NPR January 26, 2005
'U.S. Oil Firms Entwined in Equatorial Guinea Deals'
Washington Post September 7, 2004
'Equatorial Guinea Human Rights'
Amnesty International