Two trials have been taking place in Africa of suspected foreign mercenaries accused of plotting a coup against the president of the oil rich country of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguema.

BBC News Online looks at what is known about the coup bid.
source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3597450.stm
Wednesday, 25 August, 2004

In March, Zimbabwean police in Harare impounded a plane which flew in from South Africa with 64 alleged mercenaries on board.


Simon Mann (second right) was the alleged leader of the plottersThe group said they were providing security for a mine in Democratic Republic of Congo, but a couple of days later an Equatorial Guinean minister said they had detained 15 more men who were the advance party for the group captured in Zimbabwe.

Nick du Toit, the leader of the group of South Africans and Armenians in Equatorial Guinea, confirmed at his trial in Equatorial Guinea this week that he was playing a limited role in the bid.

He told the court he was recruited by Simon Mann, the alleged leader of the group held in Zimbabwe, and that he was helping with recruitment, acquiring weapons and logistics for the attempt. He says he was told they were trying to install an exiled opposition politician, Severo Moto, as head.

Mr Mann has only admitted to breaking arms regulations in Zimbabwe.

The former Spanish colony has been ruled by President Obiang since he seized power himself from his uncle in a coup in 1979. His government has been accused of widespread human rights abuses and of ruthlessly suppressing political opposition.

Yet the discovery of oil several years ago has meant huge wealth and massive investment flowing into this poor country of just 500,000 people.

Not much of this has trickled down to ordinary people. The United States Senate is currently investigating the discovery of millions of dollars in US bank accounts belonging to the family of President Obiang.

And it is these massive oil revenues which could lend some credence to President Obiang's accusation that multinationals and foreign powers were involved in the plot.

Both trials have begun amid complaints of abuse and unfair treatment from relatives of those being held.

One of the suspects, a German, died in prison in Equatorial Guinea after what Amnesty International said was suspected torture.

So far it remains unclear who was backing the mercenaries on trial, although the list of suspects is growing.

Sir Mark has denied any involvement Simon Mann, the old Etonian and founder of the mercenary firm Executive Outcomes, has not been talking, although President Obiang has.

He has accused the Spanish government and the son of the former UK prime minister, Mark Thatcher, amongst others of being behind the plot.

The South African authorities, who arrested Mark Thatcher on Wednesday in Cape Town, now seem to believe he is involved, despite a denial from his lawyer.

What is known is that Mark Thatcher has admitted to being a good friend of Simon Mann.

Others, President Obiang alleges are involved, are a former British cabinet minister, whom he refuses to name, an oil tycoon, Eli Calil, and the exiled politician Severo Moto, who lives in Spain - both of whom have strongly denied involvement.

The BBC's Newsnight television programme saw the financial records of Simon Mann's companies showing large payments to Nick du Toit and also some $2m coming in - though the source of this funding they say is untraceable.

Mercenary activities were banned in South Africa several years ago after complaints about security organisations like Executive Outcomes.

The majority of the alleged mercenaries on trial in Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea are based in South Africa, with many being former members of the apartheid-era security forces.

South Africa will be determined to be seen to be acting tough against any attempt to destabilise another country.

However, it also will want to protect its nationals, and has vowed to intervene if any of the alleged mercenaries are sentenced to death.

Judgements in the two cases are expected be given within the next week.