Is Equatorial Guinea coming in from the cold?
African heads of state will descend on Equatorial Guinea this week for an African Union summit. The country is currently chair of the AU and in seven months time, it will host the Africa Cup of Nations football tournament.
But rights groups argue against Equatorial Guinea's AU role, contending that the country has one of the worst human rights records in Africa. Amnesty International's latest country report details politically motivated harassment and arrest of opposition figures; arbitrary arrests and detentions; and unlawful killings.
Critics have also accused the government of corruption, and of wasting public money on the multi-million dollar resort that has been built for the heads of state just outside Malabo. Whilst Equatorial Guinea boasts huge oil reserves - per head, national earnings are the same as European nations like Spain and Italy - all but a small elite live on less than a $1 a day.
In response to recent criticism, Equatorial Guinea's ambassador to the United Nations wrote to the New York Times. He said the country "is struggling vigorously to become more free, to modernize itself and to provide a better standard of living for its citizens."
So do you think it is right that Equatorial Guinea should be hosting these high-profile events? Is it setting a poor example to the rest of the continent - or is it a sign that things are in fact improving in Equatorial Guinea? And what about the Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea next year - will they be good hosts? Will you be going?
If you would like to debate this topic LIVE on air on Tuesday 21 June at 1600 GMT, please include a telephone number. It will not be published.
Comment number 1.
At 08:29 24th Jun 2011, AKPAN wrote:Another great opportunity for our rulers to celebrate their kleptocratic misrule - and the utter misery they've inflicted on our longsuffering peoples. If only this odious cabal understood the concept of shame.
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Comment number 2.
At 08:45 27th Jun 2011, NGOMDUM wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
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Comment number 3.
At 03:59 28th Jun 2011, yemti ndienla wrote:i think this country should be isolated rather than accomodated. Besides the harsh treatment of its nationals, the country is also noted for inflicting same treatment to foreigners. Foreces arrest, beat, and detain foreigners prior to their deportation. This is something the world should stand against
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