Political Overview
Equatorial Guinea is officially a presidential republic; however, it operates as a highly centralized, authoritarian state under President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who has held power since a 1979 coup. President Obiang’s party, the Partido Democrático de Guinea Ecuatorial (PDGE), wields near-absolute control over the executive, legislature, and judiciary, with opposition parties existing largely in name only In the most recent general elections held on November 26, 2022, Obiang secured another six-year term with 94.9 percent of the vote amid widespread allegations of ballot-rigging and voter intimidation. International observers and organizations such as Freedom House consistently rank the country among the world’s “worst of the worst” for political and civil liberties, citing restrictions on free speech, assembly, and a judiciary that lacks independence.
Cultural Heritage and Identity
The cultural identity of Equatorial Guinea reflects a fusion of indigenous African traditions and nearly two centuries of Spanish colonial influence. The population is ethnically diverse, with the majority Fang people inhabiting the mainland (Río Muni) and the Bubi people native to Bioko Island; smaller groups such as the Ndowe and Annobonese further enrich this mosaic. Spanish remains the dominant language, a legacy of colonial rule, and the country also recognizes French and Portuguese as official languages, while numerous indigenous tongues like Fang, Bubi, and Annobonese persist in local communities. Roman Catholicism, introduced by Spanish missionaries, is the predominant faith, yet many Equatoguineans continue to practice traditional rituals, music, and dance, with instruments such as the Fang harp, large drums, and wooden trumpets playing key roles in ceremonies and storytelling.
Geographical Landscape and Climate
Situated on the west coast of Central Africa, Equatorial Guinea comprises a mainland region (Río Muni) and several islands, the largest of which are Bioko home to the capital, Malabo and Annobón, a small volcanic island to the southwest. The mainland is characterized by low-lying coastal plains that rise to hilly interior rainforests, while Bioko features volcanic peaks and rugged terrain. The country’s climate is uniformly equatorial: high temperatures, heavy rainfall, and persistent cloud cover dominate most of the year, fostering lush tropical rainforests. Distinct wet and dry seasons affect different regions at different times Río Muni’s dry season runs from June to August while Bioko remains wet, with the pattern reversing from December through February. Average high temperatures peak at around 32.1 °C in February and March and dip to a still-warm 28.5 °C in August and September, with little seasonal variation in nighttime lows.
