France’s positive step against African corruption
Some weeks ago a French judge issued a controversial international arrest warrant for the Second Vice President of Equatorial Guinea, one of Africa’s leading oil producing states. The move follows the refusal of Teodorin Nguema Obiang Mangue, son of President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mbasogo, to allow French magistrates to interview him on money-laundering charges that he denies.
But Obiang is not the only top African politician being investigated by French authorities over allegations of embezzlement. According to reports, the private accounts of his father and other African leaders are being examined following reports brought by NGO Transparency International.
Metro Éireann welcomes this unprecedented move. For much of the past three decades, the French authorities have paid lip service to allegations of corruption levelled at President Obiang, who overthrew his uncle in 1979 to become leader of Equatorial Guinea. Since then, tens of billions of dollars in oil revenue have disappeared from the country’s treasury, most of which is believed to have been invested in France.
We believe that the current move against President Obiang, his son and other corrupt leaders will send a strong message to those who are enriching themselves at the expense of their societies. We urge other western countries to do the same. And more importantly, efforts must be made to ensure whatever assets are seized from these thieves are used for the betterment of the people who are suffering most.
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