Equatorial Guinea's Political System: A Unitary Presidential Republic Dominated by One Party

Equatorial Guinea operates as a unitary presidential republic on paper, but functions as an authoritarian one-party state.

Formal Structure

• President: Head of state & government; elected for 7-year terms (no term limits since 2011). Current: Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo (since 1979).
• Prime Minister: Appointed by president; head of government administration.
• Cabinet: Appointed by president.
• Legislature: Bicameral since 2013—Chamber of Deputies (100 seats, 5-year terms) + Senate (70 seats: 55 elected, 15 appointed by president).
• Judiciary: Nominally independent; in practice subordinate to executive.

Political Reality

• Dominant party: Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea (PDGE) holds virtually all seats; wins >90% in every election.
• Opposition: Fragmented, harassed; leaders jailed or exiled.
• Elections: Not considered free/fair by international observers.
• Human rights: Reports of torture, arbitrary detention, restricted speech/assembly.

Economy & Geopolitics

Oil/gas wealth (OPEC member since 2017) funds the state but benefits elites; widespread poverty persists. Member of UN, AU, CEMAC.