The Republic of Equatorial Guinea is a multi-party republic that has been ruled by the sub-clan of the Fang ethnic group since independence in 1968. This is the clan of the President, who seized power in a military coup in 1979. He was re-elected with 97.1% of the vote in 2002 in an election marred by extensive fraud and intimidation. International observers reported that the opposition received about 12% of the vote but were given only 2 seats in the 100-seat Parliament. Since independence in 1968, no elections have been deemed free and fair. A recent attempted coup led to the arrest of 19 mercenaries in the capital, Malabo, and 70 more in Zimbabwe.

Impeachment of the head of state is forbidden in the Constitution. The Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea (PDGE) controls the legislature. There are 20 women in the 100-member legislature and 5 in the 50-member Cabinet. Cabinet reforms have removed some presidential power but control of the police and security forces is still with the Cabinet, whose members are named by the President. A new Prime Minister has been named, and close relatives of the President hold the Ministries of Defence and National Security positions previously held by the President. Leadership positions are restricted to the President's ethnic group and its closest supporters.

Corruption in all branches of the government is a problem. The President has been accused of spending the country's oil wealth on his own family and friends. An investigation revealed that at least US$35 million of oil revenues went straight into accounts controlled personally by the President and his close associates. The judiciary is not independent. Tribal elders adjudicate civil claims in traditional courts. Arbitrarily arrest and detention by security forces continues with impunity.

Discrimination of all forms is prohibited, but women and minorities face severe discrimination.
A UN Special Representative and Amnesty International describe the use of torture as routine. Impunity is a problem. Access to government information is not provided for in law.

The economy grew rapidly as a result of increased prices and production of oil and gas. For the majority of the population, subsistence agriculture, hunting and fishing are their means of support, and unemployment is very high despite GDP growth reported at 20 to 24%. A lack of transparency and poor management undermine the economic potential. Little of the wealth accrued from oil is used to benefit the population. New infrastructure projects, said to be for the public good, have begun.

Foreign economic assistance was stopped because of the poor economic and human rights record. Freedom of speech and of the press are restricted, and journalists report monitoring of electronic communications. The media are under government control, and journalists practise self-censorship. Criticism of the government, the President or the security forces is not permitted. Radio is the most important medium of mass communication. The President's son owns the only private radio station. Censorship of all publications is authorised. Publishers have to submit a copy for approval prior to publication. Internet access is not restricted, but the Internet service provider is a government monopoly.

Trafficking in persons has been criminalised, but the country is a destination and transit for trafficked persons. Children from Benin and Nigeria are trafficked for agriculture and commerce. Women are trafficked for prostitution in the country's oil sector.

Discrimination against homosexuals and persons with HIV/AIDS is evident. The World Health Organisation has sponsored HIV/AIDS public awareness campaigns.

Compulsory education legislation is not enforced. Boys are expected to complete secondary school or vocational studies following primary education. For girls educational opportunities are lessened by early pregnancies. The costs of tuition, books, uniforms and other fees make education unattainable for the poor.

Tuition is not paid by the government for children over age 10. UNICEF reports net primary school attendance at 60% for boys and 61% for girls; secondary school enrolment is much lower, with a Gross Enrolment Rate (GER) at 43% for boys and 19% for girls. New schools lack basic materials such as books and desks.

Untrained political appointees are given positions as teachers. Religious study is required in schools; Roman Catholic religious education is offered. Other faiths have difficulty having classes in their denominations and are sometimes asked to pay the teacher's salary.

A 4-year programme begins at age 3. At this level, 37 % of education is private. The Net Enrolment Rate (NER) is 39%. 600 teachers work at this level (80% female). The PTR is 39 : 1.

Education is compulsory for ages 7 to 11. Primary school begins at age 7 and continues for 5 years. 78% of girls are primary students. The NER is 85%. Of students who enrol in Grade 1, 93% continue to the final grade of primary school. 12% of students repeat grades.

Secondary education begins at age 12 and is completed in 7 years. 7% of students in lower secondary and 4% in upper secondary education study in technical vocational programmes. The GER is reported at 41% (51% of boys, 31% of girls) in lower secondary and 13% in upper secondary school (17% of boys, 8% of girls).

737 tertiary level students study abroad, mainly in Spain (413), Cuba (119), U.S.A. (79), Saudi Arabia (50) and France (28) .

Persons with disabilities have no legal protection from discrimination in education or in the provision of other services. Little education is available for disabled children. An NGO added a classroom to its orphanage to train the mentally disabled.

The law provides for the granting of asylum and refugee status in accordance with the 1951 U.N. Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol, but the government has not established a system for providing protection to refugees. The government cooperates with the UNHCR.

Discrimination against ethnic minorities is reported. The concentration of political and economic power by the Mongomo sub-clan of the Fang ethnic group has severe implications for other ethnic groups. In 2005 the deportation of foreigners from other African countries took place. Extortion by the police is cited by minorities.

Academic freedom is restricted, and professors practise self-censorship in relation to political matters. Publications are censored.

Despite legal provision of equal rights, custom confines women to traditional roles. Limited educational opportunities keep women in low-paying or unpaid work.

Polygyny is widespread. Traditional family law discriminates against women in inheritance. In a divorce a woman is required to return the bride price paid to her family, and her husband automatically gets custody of children of the marriage.

Violence against women is problematic. Perpetrators of domestic violence are not usually prosecuted. Prostitution is increasingly common in the oil sector.

Child labour is very common. The minimum age for employment is 14, but the law is not enforced. Child labour is common, particularly on family farms and in markets. The government does not have a comprehensive policy on child labour. Foreign children are used for compulsory and forced labour. Comparisons with slavery have been made of the conditions of children.

Workers have the right to form and join trade unions, but only the Small Farmers Syndicate is recognised as a labour union. The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions reports that authorities have refused to register the Equatorial Guinea Trade Union, and, despite meeting all legal requirements, the Independent Syndicated Services of the public sector is not recognised. The oil industry is trying to reduce government control of hiring to eliminate political bias. Unions are not legally permitted to affiliate with international bodies. The legal right to organise and bargain collectively is provided in law, but the process is deliberately difficult.

The government and employers set wages. Collective bargaining does not take place. Workers have the legal right to strike but are prohibited from taking strike action. Temporary protests or slowdowns do take place. Prisoners are used as labour on construction projects; they work without pay or other compensation. Judges have been reported to use prisoners as domestic workers.

Minimum wages are set by the government. Most companies pay more than the established minimum wage that is set at US$180 a month (90,000 CFA francs) for private sector workers. Additional duties provide a minimum increase of 25% of base pay. The public sector minimum wage has been raised to match the private sector. A standard 35-hour work week is the norm in the formal sector.