Equatorial Guinea appoints the first female prime minister

President of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguema has appointed Manuela Roka Botey as the first female prime minister of the state.

Manuela Roka Botey served as the deputy minister of education since August 2020 before her appointment by the state’s President yesterday. She also served as the vice dean of the faculty of letters and social sciences at the National University of Equatorial Guinea. She replaces Francisco Pascual Obama Asue who served the same role for the past eight years.

Her new position was announced on state television late Tuesday.

In a tweet by the Vice President and son of the Head of State Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, he said the appointment of Manuela Botey as the first female prime minister of the country is proof of their commitment to gender equality.

Teodoro Obiang Nguema has ruled Equatorial Guinea since 1979 after the overthrow of his uncle, Francisco Marcias Nguema in a coup. Obiang is recognized as one of the long-serving heads of State at age 80.