Equatorial Guinea is a very small country on the west coast of Africa. It is the only country in Africa where Spanish is an official language. The country, which includes some islands, achieved independence from Spain in 1968. The country was ruled for the first 11 years by a man named Nguema who was formerly a mayor of one region of the country. In 1979, his nephew staged a military coup, killed his uncle, and has ruled ever since. Oil was discovered in 1996 and today the country is the third-largest producer of oil in sub-Saharan Africa. Of course, all this money is creating political tensions, including a failed coup attempt in 2004 reportedly backed financially by Mark Thatcher, son of the former British Prime Minister. Obiang (the current dictator) claims to be in constant contact with the almighty and a presidential aide once said, and I quote, "He (Obiang) can decide to kill without anyone calling him to account and without going to hell because it is God himself, with whom he is in permanent contact, and who gives him this strength." Yikes.
Equatorial Guinea on Wikipedia
