You know what really grinds my gears? African Dictatorships.
Since when is it ok for a person to use public funds to
finance a life of luxury and extravagance? When did this practice become
‘couth’?
It didn’t.
Son of an Equatorial Guinean dictator, Teodorin Obiang is
set to purchase a $380 million yacht, that would become world’s 2nd
most expensive private boat—and that is just the tip.
The 41-year old son of dictator Teodoro Obiang Nguema
Mbasogo, comfortably spends his time in a $35 million mansion in Malibu, with a
convoy of luxury cars and a private jet.
It is reported that the younger Obiang has effectively
siphoned more than enough money from the public sector to finance his lavish
escapades. As his monthly salary is $6,799- it would take 4,600 years for
him to pay for the yacht.
But how does this man have keys to the Equatorial Guinean
money vault?
O—he happens to be the country’s ‘agricultural minister’
(Even though he spends a majority of his time in California) (It must be for
work purposes….) A position that he must have ‘earned’ within his father’s
government.
If this doesn’t grind your gears, then you may want to ask
one of the 80% of Equatorial Guinean citizens who fall below the poverty line,
who will not have keys to the yacht.
This example is just one of the many relating to corrupt
African politics.
It is these dictatorships that breed corruption and divide
the population.
Effectively, African dictatorships are the seed of current
political corruption, and a possible result of prior colonial rule- where
Portugal ‘s (In this case) abandonment of Equatorial Guinea left a rat race for
the throne.
These dictatorships enable greedy men to take what they
want, and give back only what they want.
But do you blame it on the Portuguese? Or on greed?
Whatever the case, I want a yacht too.
Courtesy of Lauren Frayer
http://www.aolnews.com/2011/02/28/teodorin-obiang-african-dictators-son-orders-380-million-lux/
Courtesy of Lauren Frayer
http://www.aolnews.com/2011/02/28/teodorin-obiang-african-dictators-son-orders-380-million-lux/
I sure want a Yacht as well...But My anger on this issue is palpable because I feel as if I am an indirect victim, he is a cold hearted individual who is absolutely busy with his lavish lifestyle and not paying any single attention to millions of babies in his country or even in Africa at large who do not reach their first year birthdays because of preventable diseases,and thousands of young people who waste their lives because of lack of jobs. This behavior must not be tolerated. The problems happening in Equatorial guines is detrimental to other African countries and beyond. Embezzling public funds is a human right violation, I only hope that the international community does not turn a blind eye on this very dangerous Individual. Blaming it both on the portuguese and greedy leaders!
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame!
I totally agree with Stella. It upsets me to read articles like this because of the horrible struggles of a typical person from Equatorial Guinea. I don't understand how a leader can look in the mirror and sleep at night knowing he is stealing from the people he is supposed to be helping. This type of activity is all too common in sub-Saharan Africa. It also has an effect on the rest of the world, because first world countries become responsible for helping the citizens of Equatorial Guinea. The money that Obiang is stealing not only hurts his own countrymen and women, but also hurts Americans because money comes out of our pockets to help the people Equatorial Guinea. The blame falls directly on Obiang, and I hope something can be done about his irresponsible behavior in the future.
ReplyDeleteThis appears to be a relevant issue seeing as how a human rights summit was recently held in Equatorial Guinea. This resulted in a large protest by other human rights groups who brought to light many of the abuses the regime and President Teodoro Obiang have committed. While the president lavishes in a disgusting amount of wealth, most of the country lives on less than $2 a day. The country has only spent 0.7% of GDP on education, and 1/8th of children in the country die before they turn five. All of this is happening in President Obiang's backyard, and he can still stomach buying a yacht. I guess all we can hope is that the human rights summit made an impression on the president somehow.
ReplyDeleteYes we can. Thank you for the comments.
ReplyDeleteBUT what I continue to wonder, after reading a recent article about Obiang Senior's total domination of the state, is- how can a people with little to no political freedoms, few resources, and little coordination, overthrow an authoritarian dictator with total power?
They seemingly cannot.
As such, is it the responsibility of countries that do have 'removing' capabilities? OR is it that of a human rights group or some other third party?
To be continued..
Corey-
ReplyDeleteI really love the structure of the course and your passion (or at least feigned passion) about authoritarianism in Equatorial Guinea. One caveat however- Equatorial Guinea is a former Spanish colony, not Portuguese.
An all around framed blog that associates with its gathering of people in all the conceivable ways.
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