Equatorial Guinea’s Supreme Court has upheld a ban on the country’s main opposition party, as well as lengthy prison sentences for 21 of its members. The Citizens for Innovation, or CI Party, was dissolved by a court in February after it was accused of involvement in acts of violence ahead of last year’s elections.
A lawyer for the CI Party described Monday’s court decision as a sentence for dictatorship and shame.
Human rights groups say corruption, poverty, and repression have thrived under the presidency of Teodoro Obiang Nguema, who has been in power since 1979.
In January the government said it had foiled a coup attempt by mercenaries.
