President of Equatorial Guinea appoints His Son as Vice President

Greed is a big problem in Africa, not only in Nigeria. The world’s longest-serving president, Teodoro Obiang Nguema, has appointed his son as Vice President.

Perhaps the immense international scorn he has faced in recent years caused President Nguema to loosen his grip a bit, after the last controversial elected to his sixth term as leader of Equatorial Guinea this year.

He is the world's longest-serving president, having ruled for almost 37 years...

According to Washington Post, Pres. Nguema has further consolidated his grip power by promoting his son, Teodoro "Teodorín" Obiang Mangue, from "second vice president" to simply vice president.

Power has been in the family for Equatorial Guinea's entire existence as an independent country. The current president toppled his uncle in a violent coup in 1979, before sentencing
him to death by firing squad. Since then, he has consolidated his grip over the country's industries and is accused of diverting tax money into his personal accounts.

The apple hasn't fallen far from the tree.

In 2014, U.S. authorities forced Teodorín to relinquish his $30 million home in Malibu, Calif.; a Gulfstream jet; a Ferrari; and dozens of pieces of Michael Jackson memorabilia worth more than $1 million, all bought with money funneled through offshore bank accounts. Court documents reviewed by the Justice Department showed that Teodorín received an official salary of less than
$100,000 but amassed more than $300 million in assets through corruption and money laundering.

“Through relentless embezzlement and extortion, Vice President Nguema Obiang
shamelessly looted his government and shook down businesses in his country to support his lavish lifestyle, while many of his fellow citizens lived in extreme poverty,” Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell said at the time.

The problem of dynastic authoritarianism is shared by Equatorial Guinea's slightly larger neighbor Gabon, which also relies heavily on the oil and gas industry. Omar Bongo ruled Gabon from independence until 2009 — 42 years — and his son Ali is now president.