Severo Moto Nsá

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Severo Moto Nsá (November 6, 1943) 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 1970's and 80's. He was a radio operator in the early 1970's, 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 1990's, he founded the 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 president 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.

[edit] Expulsion from Spain

On December 30, 2005 the Spanish government lifted his political asylum and thus he will be forced to leave Spain. He has stated that before being expelled to a third country he will return to Equatorial Guinea in order to call for free elections.