After 190 years under Spanish rule, Equatorial Guinea emerged in 1969 as a dictatorship under Marcias Nguema. The following decade brought incredible oppression upon the people. With help from the Soviets, Nguema murdered tens of thousands of citizens.

A military coup in 1979 created a one-party presidential government. After appearing to improve in human rights for a while, in 2002, political opponents have been rounded up and sixty-eight given prison sentences. Before independence from Spain, Equatorial Guinea was one of the most prosperous countries of West Africa, but it has become one of the poorest.

While generally respecting religious rights, the president has warned church leaders to not interfere in governmental affairs. Today, open witness is banned and no new denominations are approved. There are few missionaries, and Operation World reports only 25 trained pastors in the whole nation, despite a population where 93 percent identify themselves as Christians (but only about 1 percent are evangelical).

• Pray for an effective witness in the midst of government oppression
• Pray that church leaders will be bold and yet wise in their dealings.