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These are scenes that resemble something out of a bad fairy tale: an evil prince who squanders all his subjects’ money while traveling while poverty reigns in his kingdom. But this case is real: it concerns Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue (55), vice president and dictator’s son of Equatorial Guinea.
He is currently in New York for a UN conference. There he spoke about the lack of development and poverty in Africa, which also severely affects his country. More than 60 percent of the inhabitants suffer from hunger, and on average people have to live on less than two francs a day, writes ‘Bild’.
$75,000 suite
The vice president of this country, of all people, throws tens of thousands of francs out the window in New York every day. His luxury apartment alone costs about $75,000 per night. In return, he gets a lot to offer in the luxury hotel “The Mark”.
The 16th floor suite measures over 930 square feet. This includes five bedrooms, six bathrooms, a library lounge, a dining room for twelve people and private access to the roof terrace. A luxury that his people probably couldn’t even dream of.
Although Equatorial Guinea is considered one of the richest countries in Africa, its people get very little out of it. Many do not have access to clean drinking water and 9 in 100 children never reach adulthood.
24 luxury cars seized
Meanwhile, the vice president and his family are swimming in money. According to research by Bild, Obiang Mangue spent 41.5 million euros on his luxurious life between 2004 and 2006 alone – more than the country spends on education per year.
His father Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo (81) has led the country as dictator since 1979. Equatorial Guinea has large oil and gas reserves. The ruling family is suspected of having enriched itself enormously through the company. The Geneva prosecutor’s office has already seized 24 luxury cars belonging to the family before they could be flown out. (jl)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
