Sh*ck Move: Equatorial Guinea Cabinet Resigns Over Poor Performance

Equatorial Guinea’s entire cabinet has resigned after reportedly falling significantly short of its performance goals, a development announced by Vice-President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue.

According to official statements, the vice-president revealed that the outgoing administration managed to achieve only about 10 percent of its expected objectives, prompting the decision for the government to step down.

Mangue, who is also the son of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, stressed that public officials must be judged by the results they deliver, particularly when entrusted with substantial state resources intended to improve the welfare of citizens.

He maintained that accountability should remain a fundamental principle of governance, noting that the level of implementation recorded by the administration fell far below the expectations and commitments made to the people.

While confirming the resignation, the vice-president did not specify the exact performance benchmarks the cabinet failed to meet or identify the sectors where shortcomings were recorded.

President Obiang, Africa’s longest-serving leader, constituted the now-dissolved cabinet in 2024 and appointed Prime Minister Manuel Osa Nsue Nsua, a former central bank governor, to spearhead economic reforms designed to improve living conditions and stimulate national development.

Despite those efforts, the Central African nation has continued to grapple with an economic slowdown over the past two years, largely attributed to declining oil production, reduced investment inflows, and external economic pressures.

Equatorial Guinea remains heavily reliant on petroleum exports, with the sector accounting for the majority of government revenue and foreign exchange earnings. Repeated calls for economic diversification have yet to yield significant progress.

In a separate statement, the ruling Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea disclosed that President Obiang expressed dissatisfaction with the cabinet’s performance, citing its inability to diversify the economy, strengthen agricultural production, and reduce the country’s dependence on imported goods that could be produced domestically.

The resignation marks a significant political development as authorities seek a new direction to address the country’s economic challenges and accelerate long-awaited reforms.