History of Equatorial Guinea

Background: Composed of a mainland portion and five inhabited islands, Equatorial Guinea has been ruled by ruthless leaders who have badly mismanaged the economy since independence from 190 years of Spanish rule in 1968. Although nominally a constitutional democracy since 1991, the 1996 presidential and 1999 legislative elections were widely seen as being flawed.

The islands of Fernando Póo and Annobón were colonized by the Portuguese in 1474, and passed to Spain in 1778. The mainland portion, Rio Muni, became a protectorate in 1885 and a colony in 1900. Between 1926 and 1959 they were united as the colony of Spanish Guinea, and they were reunited in 1963 as Equatorial Guinea.

This became independent on 12 October 1968 under President Francisco [Macias Nguema], who became one of the most feared and erratic tyrants in the world. He introduced a campaign of 'authenticity', replacing colonial names with native ones. The capital Santa Isabel became Malabo. He ordered his citizens to drop European names, and his own name underwent several transformations; by the end of his reign he was known as Masie Nguema Biyogo Ñegue Ndong. The main island of Fernando Póo was renamed Masie Nguema Biyogo after himself, and Annobón became Pigalu.

After his overthrow on 3 August 1979 by his nephew, Colonel Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, Masie Nguema was tried and executed. The islands were renamed Bioko and Annobón.

See also : Equatorial Guinea