Press Statement
Marie Harf
Acting Department Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
March 31, 2015
The United States is deeply concerned by reports of detentions and restrictions on movement of Equatoguinean citizens for political reasons. Guillermo Nguema Ela, a leader of the opposition party Republican Democratic Force (FDR) was detained on March 17, flown to his native village near the mainland city of Mongomo, and directed not to leave the village indefinitely. FDR member Luis Nzo Ondo was arrested on March 19 in Malabo while denouncing Mr. Nguema Ela’s confinement. Mr. Nzo Ondo was also forcibly transferred to Mongomo and confined to the area. No official charges have been filed against either.
The United States urges the Government of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea to release both from extrajudicial restrictions on movement, in accordance with Article 13 of the Constitution of Equatorial Guinea, which guarantees freedom of expression, association, and circulation.
Recent unsubstantiated allegations in Equatorial Guinea’s official media against opposition party Convergence for Social Democracy (CPDS) are of concern as well to the United States. We call upon the Government of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea to allow political parties to register and participate freely in peaceful political activities, as agreed to during the National Political Dialogue in November 2014.
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