The government of Equatorial Guinea has detained a former justice minister, Ruben Maye Nsue for criticising President Teodoro Obiang Nguema.
This was made known on Thursday when the former minister`s brother, a strong opposition member raised an alarm on Thursday claiming they had no news of the former minister in three weeks after he publicly criticised the president.
Clariform reports that President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo aged 80, has ruled Equatorial Guinea for more than 43 years, which makes him the longest-serving non-monarchic ruler in the world.
According to his brother, Ruben Monsuy, the former justice minister Ruben Maye Nsue Mangue aged 59 was arrested on the night of August 7 in the eastern town of Mongomo, after being summoned to a meeting with the ruling party.
His brother said that after the meeting, “Ruben was arrested and taken to an unknown location after refusing to apologise to the head of state.”
In his words, “We have no idea of his whereabouts.”
Clariform gathered that the minister who is also a clergyman was barred from preaching by the ministry of justice five days after his arrest as he was accused of “provoking public disorder”.
Previously, on July 25, the former justice minister in a viral Whatsapp voice note criticised the president’s management of the country, describing him as a “demon… holding his people prisoner“. The former minister also called for a national dialogue.
His detention has also been confirmed by a coalition of exiled opposition parties, civil society groups in the country and human rights monitors.
Ruben Maye served as Equitorial Guineas’ justice minister from 1998 to 2004 before being appointed ambassador to the United States in 2013.
An Europe based Guillermo Nguema Ela Equitorial Guinea human rights activist told AFP in a telephone conversation that the minister had been detained “without a warrant of arrest or failing to appear in court without 72 hours” of his detention as required by law.
Also, opposition politician Joaquin Elo Ayeto — who was also detained for almost a year over “defaming” the president until his release in early 2020 — said civil society was worried.
In his words, “We are sounding the alarm bell.”
Clariform reports that International rights groups have regularly accused the authorities in the country of human rights abuses, which includes arbitrary arrest and detentions, forced disappearances and torture.
