Government Equatorial Guinea
Nguema was the first post-colonial president of Equitorial Guinea in 1968 who reigned until 1979 when he was replace by his nephew, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, through a coup d'etat. Before attaining this position, Nguema worked his way up the ranks as a civil service employee for the Spanish government in the 1950's and 1960's. In 1968 Nguema was elected vice president of the local government of Equitorial Guinea securing his ascent into government. In October of 1968 after Equitorial Guinea gained independence from Spain, Nguema was elected president. At first Nguema's government was thought to promote a free and democratic society, however his reign became very autocratic.

Under Nguema's rule, Spanish relations deteriorated as Nguema instilled policies that limited basic freedoms, reduced government services, and damaged infrastructure and the economy. Spanish relations further deterioted as Nguema attempted to reduce Spanish influence. A campaign of intimidation was used to remove the 70, 000 Spanish nationals residing in Equitorial Guinea.

By July 1970 a single party state known as Partido UNICO National de Trabajadores was created, by May 1971 parts of the constituion were eliminated, and by 1972 Nguema was the self-declared "president for life". Under Nguema's rule, former politician and political opponents were eliminated or disappeared mysteriously; and in 1978 the Catholics were persecuted and the church was banned.

After many years of brutal rule, Nguema was executed my Moroccan soldiers on September 29th 1979.


references:
www.ceiba-guinea-ecuatorial.org/guineeangl/indexbienv1.htm
www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Nguema-F.html
www.dictatorofthemonth.com/Nguema/Dec2001NguemaEN.htm