Severo Moto Nsá
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2008-04-16T12:21:40Z
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'''Severo Moto Nsá''' (born [[November 6]], [[1943]] in [[Equatorial Guinea]]) is the most notable opposition politician in [[Equatorial Guinea]], and leader of the [[Progress Party of Equatorial Guinea]]. He lives in [[Spain]] where he has established a government-in-exile, to the annoyance of [[Teodoro Obiang]]. Moto operates a website that makes character assassinations on Obiang; Moto is the source of rumours that Obiang is a [[cannibal]]. Being of the same [[Mongomo]] clan as [[Francisco Macías Nguema]] and Obiang, Moto was allowed to participate in government activities during the 1970s and 1980s. He was a radio operator in the early 1970s, later ascending to the post of minister for tourism and information (1971-76, 79-82).
Moto lost his government position with the end of the [[military dictatorship]] in 1982, and with the advent of multi-party democracy in the early 1990s, he founded the [[Progress Party (Equatorial Guinea)|Progress Party]]. His opposition to Obiang caused him to be imprisoned at [[Malabo]]'s reviled [[Black Beach]] prison. He claims to have won several elections in Equatorial Guinea. He is reportedly on good terms with [[José María Aznar]], the former premier of Spain. Due to this and his position as the main contender to become president after a coup, he was accused by Equatorial Guinea of being the instigator of the March 2004 attempt led by [[Simon Mann]] and [[Nick du Toit]], and tried in absentia. He disappeared for a short time in 2005, only to reappear unharmed. He claimed a pair of hitmen had taken him out on a yacht in [[Dubrovnik]], [[Croatia]], only to let him go because he was a fellow [[Catholic]].
==In Spain==
On [[December 30]], [[2005]] the Spanish government lifted his [[political asylum]]. Moto has stated that before being expelled to a third country he will return to Equatorial Guinea in order to call for free elections. He appealed the decision, and eventually, in March 2008, the Spanish Supreme Court upheld his asylum request.<ref name=Arms>Al Goodman, [http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/04/15/guinea.arrest/ "Exiled leader arrested in Spain over arms trafficking"], CNN, April 15, 2008.</ref>
Weapons were found in a car at the port in [[Sagunto]]<ref name=Arms/><ref name=APA>[http://apanews.net/apa.php?page=show_article_eng&id_article=60783 "Equatorial Guinea opposition politician arrested in Spain for arms smuggling"], African Press Agency, April 15, 2008.</ref> on [[March 4]] [[2008]],<ref name=APA/> and they were reportedly about to be sent to Equatorial Guinea. Moto was arrested in [[Toledo (province)|Toledo Province]] in mid-April 2008 on suspicion of involvement in this.<ref name=Arms/><ref name=APA/>
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
*[http://www.guinea-ecuatorial.org/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=7 Personal page of Severo Moto on the website of the Progress Party of Equatorial Guinea], self-styled government-in-exile of Equatorial Guinea (in Spanish)
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[[Category:Equatoguinean politicians]]
[[Category:1943 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Equatoguinean exiles]]
[[Category:Equatoguinean Roman Catholics]]
[[Category:People of Bubi descent]]
[[es:Severo Moto Nsá]]