The Concepts of Political System in the Colonial Spanish Guinea and Independent Equatorial Guinea

Abstract

The decolonisation process of Equatorial Guinea had a unique character. It proceeded gradually and peacefully, which gave hope that the Guinean political elites were well-prepared to assume power. The article analyses changes in the political status of Spanish sub-Saharan territories and compares the concepts of the Guinean political system presented by African political activists with projects prepared by the government in Madrid. The author draws attention to the political diversity of ethnic and social groups in Equatorial Guinea, the actions undertaken by the African political parties, various standpoints of the Spanish ministries and the international position of Spain.