The government and Prime Minister of Equatorial Guinea have resigned.“The head of state regretted that the outgoing government did not fulfil its policy objectives, which undoubtedly led to this crisis situation,” a statement on the government website said.
They tendered their resignation on Friday to President Teodoro Obiang, who said they had not done enough to help the country at a time of crisis, authorities said in a statement.
The oil-rich central African oil country is suffering a double economic shock linked to the coronavirus pandemic and a drop in the price of crude, which provides around three-quarters of state revenue. It has reported 4,821 COVID-19 cases, 83 fatalities and 2,182 recoveries, according to figures compiled by US-based Johns Hopkins University.
President Obiang, 78, has ruled the former Spanish colony since overthrowing his uncle in a 1979 coup, relying on repression of political opponents and the country’s offshore oil riches.
He dissolved the last government in February 2018, before reappointing Francisco Asue as Prime Minister, who had served as premier since 2016.
A new government is expected to be announced soon, said Tutu Alicante, the head of EG Justice, a U.S.-based organisation, working to promote human rights and rule of law in Equatorial Guinea.
