Equatorial Guinea president elevates son to Vice President

The President of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguema has promoted his son Teodorin Nguema Obiang to the position of Vice President in charge of defense and security, according to a decree read on Wednesday on state television.

“In accordance with the Basic Law of Equatorial Guinea, I appoint his Excellency Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue Vice President of the Republic,” the decree of President Obiang read.

Teodorin Nguema Obiang, who is 47 years old and a possible successor to his father, previously held the position of Second Vice President since 2012.

President Obiang made other appointments which follow a dissolution of the country’s government on June 17 after the presidential election of April 24 as provided by the Constitution.

The list of the remaining members of the new government will be known later this week.

President Teodoro Obiang Nguema has been in power since 1979 and was re-elected in April with 93.7% of votes.

His son was under trial in France for fraudulently amassing wealth out of Equatorial Guinea’s public purse. The case was later dismissed.