Khaberni - The leader of the Democrats on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee stated that the Trump administration paid $7.5 million to the government of Equatorial Guinea as part of its effort to deport foreign nationals from the United States to the West African country, while deepening relations with its leaders who face severe legal persecutions.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat from New Hampshire, in a letter sent yesterday (Monday) to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and of which the Associated Press obtained a copy, stated that "this highly unusual financial payment to one of the world's most corrupt governments raises serious concerns about the responsible and transparent use of American taxpayers' money."
Shaheen added in her letter that the $7.5 million stood out because it "far exceeds the total amount of American foreign aid given over the past eight years combined" to Equatorial Guinea.
This payment, offered from the Migration and Refugee Assistance fund, represents the first governmental transfer from this account, which was established by Congress to respond to humanitarian crises. Shaheen wondered if the expenditure of these funds for Equatorial Guinea is a legitimate use of the money.
The State Department declined to comment on the specifics of diplomatic communications but stated that "implementing Trump administration's immigration policies remains a high priority for the State Department." Minister Rubio said, "We remain steadfast in our commitment to end illegal and mass migration and to enhance American border security."
As the Trump administration looks to Africa for more deportations, this payment raises questions about how its deportation agenda integrates with its other foreign policy goals, besides the quality of the state leaders it wishes to trust.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration has developed its relationships with the Vice-president of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro “Teddy” Nguema Obiang, known among world leaders accused of corruption; due to his lavish lifestyle and the attention he draws from public prosecutors in many countries. Associated Press reported that the State Department granted Obiang a sanction waiver to allow him to travel to the United States, to attend a high-level United Nations meeting in New York in September, and visit other American cities. Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Christopher Landau also met with Obiang.
It is noted that Obiang is the son of the veteran President of Equatorial Guinea and his expected successor. He has been accused for decades of corruption and misuse of power. The Vice-president, who oversees the defense and national security, has been under international sanctions for years, facing accusations of plundering the state’s wealth while most people live in poverty.
Despite Equatorial Guinea's petroleum and gas riches, at least 70 percent of its population, nearly two million people, live in poverty. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo the father has been the longest-serving African president, holding office since 1979.
