Equatorial Guinea is the third-largest oil producer in Sub-Saharan Africa, after Nigeria and Angola. The income from this black gold has not improved the living conditions of local communities - on the contrary, the proceeds have been instrumental in strengthening the on-going dictatorship of President Obiang Nguema and his family. The discovery of oil and gas reserves on Bioko Island worsened the conflict between the native Bubi ethnic group and the central Government. The Movement for the Self-Determination of Bioko Island remains active. |
The Bioko Island is progressively being turned into a petrochemical complex, threatening the local population Bubi people livelihoods.
Description:
Basic Data
| Name of conflict: | Oil & gas extraction on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea |
| Country: | Equatorial Guinea |
| State or province: | Bioko Island |
| Accuracy of location | HIGH (Local level) |
Source of Conflict
| Type of conflict. 1st level: | Fossil Fuels and Climate Justice/Energy |
| Type of conflict. 2nd level: | Oil and gas exploration and extraction |
| Specific commodities: | Crude oil Natural Gas |
Project Details and Actors
| Project details | Equatorial Guinea exports about 500 barrels per day. |
| Project area: | 100000 |
| Level of Investment for the conflictive project | 700000000 |
| Type of population | Semi-urban |
| Affected Population: | 170000 |
| Start of the conflict: | 1996 |
| Company names or state enterprises: | ExxonMobil Corporation (Exxon) from United States of America Amerada Hess Marathon Oil Corp from United States of America The Atlantic Methanol Production Company (AMPCO) from Equatorial Guinea Taleveras Group from Nigeria NOBLE ENERGY from United States of America Atlas petroleum from Nigeria Glencore (GLEN) from Switzerland P.A. Resources from Sweden |
| Relevant government actors: | Government of Equatorial Guinea |
| International and Finance Institutions | Riggs Bank from United States of America |
| Environmental justice organizations (and other supporters) and their websites, if available: | Movement for the Self-Determination of Bioko Island (MAIB) - Equatorial Guinea, Global Witness - England |
Conflict & Mobilization
| Intensity | HIGH (widespread, mass mobilization, violence, arrests, etc...) |
| Reaction stage | In REACTION to the implementation (during construction or operation) |
| Groups mobilizing: | Indigenous groups or traditional communities International ejos Local ejos Neighbours/citizens/communities Social movements Ethnically/racially discriminated groups |
| Forms of mobilization: | Land occupation Public campaigns Street protest/marches |
Impacts
| Environmental Impacts | Visible: Biodiversity loss (wildlife, agro-diversity), Loss of landscape/aesthetic degradation, Soil contamination, Waste overflow, Deforestation and loss of vegetation cover, Surface water pollution / Decreasing water (physico-chemical, biological) quality Potential: Air pollution, Food insecurity (crop damage), Global warming, Noise pollution, Soil erosion, Groundwater pollution or depletion, Large-scale disturbance of hydro and geological systems |
| Health Impacts | Visible: Exposure to unknown or uncertain complex risks (radiation, etc…), Deaths Potential: Malnutrition, Occupational disease and accidents, Infectious diseases |
| Socio-economical Impacts | Visible: Increase in Corruption/Co-optation of different actors, Displacement, Increase in violence and crime, Lack of work security, labour absenteeism, firings, unemployment, Loss of livelihood, Loss of traditional knowledge/practices/cultures, Militarization and increased police presence, Violations of human rights, Land dispossession, Loss of landscape/sense of place Potential: Social problems (alcoholism, prostitution, etc..), Specific impacts on women |
Outcome
| Project Status | In operation |
| Conflict outcome / response: | Corruption Criminalization of activists Deaths, Assassinations, Murders Repression Violent targeting of activists |
| Proposal and development of alternatives: | An end to oil extraction activity on Bioko Island and the restoration of the area. |
| Do you consider this an environmental justice success? Was environmental justice served?: | No |
| Briefly explain: | Oil & gas extraction is still the main economic activity on the Bioko Island, and the Government supports it, threatening the native population. |
Sources & Materials
| References to published books, academic articles, movies or published documentaries |
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Meta information
| Contributor: | Lucie Greyl |
| Last update | 18/08/2019 |
| Conflict ID: | 464 |
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