The US knew, Spain knew, Britain knew. Whose coup was it?
The intelligence link: It reads like an adventure story, but the coup attempt is a political thriller, finds Investigations Editor Neil Mackay
ALL the Boy’s Own adventure stuff has overshadowed a far more disturbing issue regarding the ill-fated putsch plot to overthrow the government of Equatorial Guinea: just how much did western intelligence services, including MI6, have to do with this very African coup?
Zimbabwe – where dozens of the mercenary team were arrested en route to overthrow President-for-Life Teodoro Obiang Nguema – and Equatorial Guinea claim that the governments of Britain, America and Spain, which once owned Equatorial Guinea as part of its colonial empire, were all behind the coup.
The gossip and rumour within British and American intelligence circles points towards the UK and US certainly knowing that the coup was in the offing – even if there was no direct participation. However, some intelligence figures in African countries have claimed that agents of MI6 and the CIA had been telling senior figures in Equatorial Guinea’s military and intelligence services that if a coup did take place that they should sit tight, hold still and not defend Obiang. It is claimed that Britain and America intelligence agents told the military and intelligence chiefs of Equatorial Guinea that in return for their inaction they would be well looked after by any post-coup government.
Britain had foreknowledge
Britain, it appears, had foreknowledge. A South African intelligence report detailing suspicions about a coup attempt in Equatorial Guinea is known to have been seen by British intelligence quite some time before the coup plot was rumbled. The report also links members of the Equatorial Guinea plot with the bloodless coup that took place in Sao Tome and Principe in July 2003. It was from Sao Tome and Principe that some of the mercenaries are thought to have travelled to Equatorial Guinea.
Zimbabwe, which is in an effective state of cold war with Britain, reserved most of its ire and accusations for the UK. The country’s home affairs minister, Kembo Mohadi, said the mercenaries “were aided by the British secret service – that is MI6 – American Central Intelligence Agency and the Spanish secret service”.
Zimbabwe’s foreign minister, Stan Mudenge, even claimed that the coup plot was a lot more elaborate than just an attempt to overthrow Equatorial Guinea’s dictator. He said: “Apparently, this was not one mission … after the diversion in Equatorial Guinea, they were going to the DRC [Democratic Republic of Congo].”
Spain's involvement
The planned Equatorial Guinea coup was, it seems, one of the worst-organised revolutions in military history and one of the worst-kept secrets. Rumours of the coup were even openly discussed at an academic meeting in London at which US and Foreign Office officials were present. It is almost impossible to imagine that the CIA and MI6 didn’t know in advance that the coup plot was afoot.
Certainly, South African intelligence had been on to the coup from the get-go. It was South Africa that tipped off Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea that the race was on to replace Obiang with Severo Moto, the self-styled president-in-exile, who lives in Spain.
Moto says he counts Spain’s former prime minister Jose Maria Aznar as a friend of more than 20 years standing, and Spain it seems had a much more direct involvement than Britain or the US in backing the coup – even, perhaps, plotting to use its own warships and marines to bring the coup to a favourable conclusion for Spanish interests.
In Equatorial Guinea, another one of the mercenary leaders, Nick Du Toit, claimed Simon Mann – former SAS officer and freelance gunrunner – had told him that Spain had promised to recognise the post-coup government. Du Toit also testified in court that unnamed “higher-up politicians” in the USA had also given their blessing to the coup.
Du Toit’s wife, Belinda, however, says that prison guards in Equatorial Guinea stamped on his feet until his toenails came off during torture sessions in the capital, Malambo. “They were electrified, beaten with [clubs], beaten with fists,” Belinda said.
Obiang says the last phase of the operation “consisted of the military support which was meant to come from Spain through the warships which, at that very moment, were already stationed in the territorial waters of Equatorial Guinea under the pretext of defending the legitimate government of Equatorial Guinea.” Obiang’s special adviser, Miguel Mifuno, said the Madrid warship had some 500 marines on board. “Our intelligence sources say that the warship was going to arrive on the same day that the coup attempt was going to take place – March 8,” Mifuno said.
“It was already in our territorial waters with 500 soldiers aboard. Meanwhile there was a team of foreign mercenaries already in Equatorial Guinea who knew where we lived. They had plans to kill 50 people and to arrest others. Spain was providing all the facilities for the coup. [The boat] was there to provide resources for the mercenaries.”
Equatorial Guinea has repeatedly accused the Spanish government, which has denied any complicity in the coup, of harbouring and supporting Moto. Obiang even recalled his ambassador to Madrid after the recent failed coup attempt.
“I believe that because the attempt was organised in Spain by opposition members, the intelligence services in Spain were aware of it,” said Obiang, adding that mercenaries were “a trade that international economic powers and the multinationals are using”.
A US-registered plane had flown the mercenaries into Zimbabwe and a small plane was also provided by a company linked to Mark Thatcher to fly Moto from Spain to Mali on the eve of the coup attempt. Moto would then arrive in Equatorial Guinea in triumph. Mann testified that “I was told he would land in an aircraft 30 minutes after the main force had landed”.
Spain, Britain and America have obvious reasons for eyeing up a potential regime change in Equatorial Guinea. In just a short period of time the country has changed from being the impoverished “armpit” of Africa into a nation sitting on top of the continent’s third largest oil supply.
Obiang says that “the petroleum wealth of Africa is the new honey that attracts the foreign bees to our home”. He said of the mercenaries: “In the course of questioning, we have found they were financed by enemy powers, by multinational companies, by countries that do not love us. There are other countries who knew about this attempt and did not contribute information. We will have to qualify them as enemies. Multinational firms operating here and outside who contributed to this operation are also enemy companies.”
The US has frozen bank accounts worth hundreds of millions of dollars belonging to Obiang and his family after the funds were discovered in American bank accounts. Equatorial Guinea is also accused by the US of widespread human rights abuses.
Add these facts to the deteriorating state of Obiang’s health and it’s understandable that Western intelligence services and their political masters are more than a little jittery about the fate of Equatorial Guinea.
With the coup plans wrecked and the leaders in jail, Spain has become much more cosy towards Equatorial Guinea. The country reaffirmed its “recognition to the only legal government” of Equatorial Guinea and said it would “examine the political exile status” of Moto. There are more ways to get lucrative oil contracts than covert military action, it seems.
US secretary of state Colin Powell says he knows nothing of any coup plans. The UK Foreign Office said claims of MI6 involvement in the coup were “utter rubbish”.
Hotels in Equatorial Guinea
With the recent failed coup attempt in Equatorial Guinea, many people might be questioning the safety and stability of the country. However, for those who are still interested in visiting this African nation, there are several hotels that offer comfortable accommodations:
1. Hotel Sofitel Malabo Sipopo Le Golf
Located in Sipopo, this luxurious hotel offers stunning views of the beach and golf course. It features spacious rooms, a swimming pool, fitness center, and multiple dining options.
2. Hilton Malabo
Situated in the heart of Malabo, this internationally renowned hotel provides modern amenities and exceptional service. Guests can enjoy the outdoor pool, fitness center, and various dining choices.
3. Ibis Malabo
Offering affordable accommodation, this hotel is conveniently located near the city center. It features comfortable rooms, a bar, and a restaurant serving international cuisine.
4. Hotel Anda China
Located in Bata, the second largest city in Equatorial Guinea, this hotel offers comfortable rooms and a range of amenities including a restaurant, bar, and conference facilities.
While it is essential for travelers to assess the current political situation and take necessary precautions, these hotels strive to provide a safe and enjoyable stay for their guests.