France Seized Assets Belonging to Equatorial Guinea's Vice President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mangue

Equatorial Guinea's Vice President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mangue

When African leaders and politicians exploit their nation's resources, they invest in properties abroad. The consequences are significant.

At the heart of the controversy is Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, the first vice president of Equatorial Guinea, whose father, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, has held the presidency since 1979.

On Friday, September 12, the world court— THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE (ICJ) ruled for the second time that Equatorial Guinea had no plausible claim to a Paris mansion once tied to Obiang’s lavish spending, clearing the way for France to move ahead with the sale.

Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mangue, Vice President of Equatorial Guinea, 101-Room Mansion at the center of the dispute with French authorities. The VP was seeking to stop the sale of his 101-room mansion in Paris.

The mansion, located on Avenue Foch, was seized by French authorities as part of a corruption probe, and the court ruled that Equatorial Guinea did not have a plausible claim to get the property back or prevent its sale.

The grand 101-room mansion featured luxurious amenities, including a cinema, a nightclub, and a Turkish bath (hammam). It was allegedly financed with money taken from government funds

The dispute began when French authorities confiscated a luxury mansion in Paris, along with millions of dollars in assets, luxury cars, and other items, after Vice President Obiang Mangue was found guilty of embezzling public funds in 2017. France argued that the property was not a diplomatic mission, contradicting earlier claims made by Equatorial Guinea. Additionally, a previous court decision in 2020 confirmed that the mansion was indeed a private residence.

As a result, the International Court of Justice rejected Equatorial Guinea's request to block the sale or reclaim the property, stating that there was no proof of a diplomatic right that would require its return. Judges concluded that the claim was not plausible under international law and that France acted within legal boundaries during the investigation and seizure.

The grand 101-room mansion featured luxurious amenities, including a cinema, a nightclub, and a Turkish bath (hammam). It was allegedly financed with money taken from government funds.

Obiang Mangue has faced similar allegations and sanctions in other countries, such as the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Brazil, for misusing public funds.

Corrupt leaders often use foreign banks, legal firms, and shell companies to conceal their illicit gains overseas while the majority of their population is drowning in poverty.

Theo Edwards for YAME Digital