Equatorial Guinea's opposition has denounced the government's decision to welcome former Gambian President Yahya Jammeh, who flew to the Central African nation over the weekend after 22 years in power, AP reported.
President Teodoro Obiang will be held responsible "for what might occur" as a result of Mr Jammeh's presence on the country's soil, the opposition Convergence for Social Democracy said in a statement.
Jammeh should not qualify for political asylum because he triggered Gambia's crisis by refusing to step down for weeks after he lost the December vote to Adama Barrow, said the Democratic Opposition Front, in a separate statement Sunday.
"We are not against Pan-Africanism, but we are in favour of a more objective Pan-Africanism that does not consist in just bringing over the waste of Africa," the group said.
Mr Obiang's government has not yet commented on Mr Jammeh's presence there.
Obiang is Africa's longest-serving ruler, having assumed power in 1979. He won re-election last year with 93% percent of the vote. Rights groups said the poll was not free and fair and accuse him of stifling dissent and torturing opponents.
His son is currently on trial for corruption in France, charged with spending millions in state funds to feed an opulent lifestyle of fast cars, designer clothes, works of art and high-end real estate.
Equatorial Guinea reportedly emerged as a destination for Jammeh late during the frantic mediation effort to get him of Gambia out so Barrow could take office. Barrow was inaugurated at Gambia's embassy in neighboring Senegal last week and is currently planning his return to Gambia.
A special adviser to Barrow on Sunday accused Jammeh of plundering state coffers and shipping out luxury vehicles by cargo plane prior to his departure.
AP
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