Equatorial Guinea’s vice president, Teodoro Nguema Obiang, has denied claims that the country is sending troops to fight in Ukraine.
The statement followed an AFP report suggesting that Equatorial Guinea had dispatched soldiers to join Russian forces.
Nguema, the son of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, called the report false.
He clarified that young Equatorial Guineans traveling to Russia are there for education, not combat, and return home to contribute to national defense.
The vice president also rejected reports of Russian mercenaries in the country, stating that Russian instructors are present to assist with military training, not to engage in combat.
However, sources suggest foreign paramilitaries continue to enter Equatorial Guinea, along with military equipment.
Their current number is estimated at 300.
Under the Obiang family’s rule, the country has faced limited freedom of expression and government control over dissent.
