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Equatorial Guinea: Controversy over the financing of the papal visit

Auteur: ivoirematin

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Guinée équatoriale : Polémique autour du financement de la visite pape

The Malabo government has firmly denied accusations of forced deductions from civil servants' salaries to finance the visit of Pope Leo XIV , scheduled for April 21-23.

Accusations of forced contributions

According to several accounts gathered by AFP, public outrage is growing. The authorities are accused of having:

  1. Payroll deductions were made from the income of public employees in February.
  2. Mandated the purchase of outfits bearing the image of the sovereign pontiff for students and civil servants.

The official response

In a statement published on March 27, the government rejected these claims, arguing that they did not reflect the reality of the preparations.

"The population is actively participating in the preparations, welcoming with enthusiasm and emotion the upcoming arrival of His Holiness," the official text states.

Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue also reacted on the social network X, calling the information "false".

The program for the visit (April 21-23)

Leo XIV's stay will be marked by several key stages across the country:

Date Place Main activities
April 21 Malabo Meeting with the world of culture, visit to a psychiatric hospital and private meeting with the bishops.
April 22 Mongomo Visit to a training center dedicated to his predecessor, Pope Francis (1936-2025).
April 22 Bata Meeting with the inmates of the local prison and tribute to the victims of the 2021 barracks explosion (108 dead).

This historic visit is taking place in an atmosphere officially described by the authorities as marked by "respect, unity and peaceful coexistence", despite social tensions related to its organization.

Auteur: ivoirematin
Publié le: Dimanche 29 Mars 2026

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