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Prominent Africans
have called for the cancellation of the controversial Obiang Prize,
endowed by Teodoro Obiang Nguema, the president of Equatorial Guinea.

In a letter
addressed to the UNESCO Director-General, Irina Bokova and members of
the African Union Commission, signatories, including Desmond Tutu,
Graca Machel, Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe and John Githongo described
the prize as “an affront to Africans everywhere” who work for the
betterment of the people on the continent. Totaling 127, the
signatories are African laureates, scholars and human rights defenders
who have joined up with concerned citizens of Equatorial Guinea to
oppose the prize.

The UNESCO-Obiang
Nguema Mbasogo International Prize for Research in the Life Sciences,
named after and funded by the Equatoguinean president, was to have been
awarded on June 15, but it was delayed following criticisms. Africa’s
leading lights are now demanding that the prize be abolished
altogether, arguing that it contradicts UNESCO’s mandate on the
“observance of human rights, mutual respect and the alleviation of
poverty.” Sub-Saharan Africa’s fourth largest oil-producing nation,
Equatorial Guinea has the highest GDP per capita on the continent, yet
75 per cent of its people live in poverty. The letter states that there
are no research centres in the country to enable any of its citizens
qualify for the award.

‘Infamous dictator’

Described as “one
of the world most infamous dictators”, Obiang also stands accused of
gross human rights violations. In August, four Equatoguinean refugees
were abducted from Benin Republic by agents believed to be working for
Obiang. According to Amnesty International, the four men were tortured
and then summarily tried and executed.

“This ongoing
pattern of abuses raises serious concern and calls into question
President Obiang’s pledges of reform,” said the letter.

Cautioning against
rumoured plans to transfer the administration of the award to the
auspices of the African Union, the signatories said such a move “would
be equally harmful to the cause of advancing human rights in Africa.”
They further observed that “the diversion of wealth that should benefit
Equatoguineans to finance a prize honouring President Obiang runs
counter to the objective of improving human dignity that underpins the
missions of UNESCO and the African Union.

Mr Obiang floated
the idea of the award in 2007, promising three million dollars from his
foundation to UNESCO over five years. The Paris-based world body’s
Executive Board approved the award in 2008.

The 127 signatories are now hoping for its abolition when the Executive Board next meets later this month.