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afrol News, 2 November - All the 13 parties that form the exiled opposition against the Equatorial Guinean regime of Teodoro Obiang today met in Barcelona (Spain). In a common manifest, they asked the international community to support their efforts "towards democracy and to terminate the incumbent dictatorship." The meeting was organised by the Barcelona-based Democratic National Union (UDENA), which is member of the Liberal International and headed by Martin-Endje Ngonde. Also present were Plácido Micó, leader of Social Democratic Group, and Andrés Moisés Mba Ada, leader of the Popular Union of Equatorial Guinea. A total of 60 exiled Equatoguinean politicians attended the Barcelona meeting. Among the results of the meeting was a manifest, which urged "a change of government and the restoration of democracy in Equatorial Guinea." The manifest also outlined "the unity of the political opposition" within and outside of the country and "the establishment of international contacts" to promote the change towards democracy. The parties were to have a "more active presence" in Spain and the European Union, trying to make these countries "take responsibility" to restore democracy in Equatorial Guinea. The meeting spent time analysing the internal political situation of Equatorial Guinea, and it was again concluded that Obiang's regime constitutes the absolute minimum of respect of human rights. Martin Endje Ngonde told the delegates that "the Equatoguinean people is able to show its political preferences as there does not exist a freedom of expression, nor of assembling or demonstration. The Guinean people cannot assemble, because, when somebody asks permission to arrange a meeting of political character, it is almost always turned down by the regime, except for the parties in coalition with Obiang" Ngonde, who hosted the Barcelona meeting, stated, "The only possibility of expression for the political parties is underground or abroad. Such was the case with UDENA, which was robbed off its acronym, now illegally used by someone else to the advantage of Obiang." Turning to economy, Ngonde stated "Equatorial Guinea should spend more of its oil and other natural resources, such as timber and cocoa, to allocate these riches better within the population - not only direct it towards the governing oligarchy - and open its borders more to foreign investments." Equatorial Guinea, a former Spanish colony, is presently experiencing an oil boom. The country has approximately 500.000 inhabitants, and a further 100.000 Equatoguineans live exiled in Spain. Source: La Diáspora and afrol archives
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