By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Equatorial Guinea’s President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, has been sworn-in for another seven years in office for the six time.
Obiang, 80, holds the world record of longest serving head of state, excluding monarchs.
Members of the international community, including the US government, have raised concerns over the legitimacy of the so called landslide victory of the president’s PDGE party which claimed 94.9% of the vote in November elections.
He declared he was – and always would be – the leader of all Equatorial Guinean. He first seized power in a coup in 1979.
Critics say elections since then have been rigged, with the opposition largely prevented from taking part and the media controlled by the government and its allies.
Officials of the country’s government have reacted to these criticisms. .
“The only thing the people can expect from the newly re-elected president is to continue the development of our country in all sectors.”
“What the people hope for, and what I personally hope for, is the sustainability of its action in the education sector, in the health sector, in the economic sector, in all sectors of the country and in infrastructure,” said Atalia Ndong, a government spokesperson.
“Every country has its own model of democracy. There is no system that governs democracy in absolute terms. In Equatorial Guinea, there is a presidential democracy. A peaceful election.”
“We are pleased that the opposition parties participated and that one of the main candidates in this election came to congratulate us,” added Evita Junto, a politician.
