Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ACCRA464
2007-02-27 16:00:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Accra
Cable title:  

REFUGEE REFERRAL FOR RICARDO ECUA-MBA

Tags:  PREF GH EK 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0001
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHAR #0464 0581600
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 271600Z FEB 07
FM AMEMBASSY ACCRA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3827
INFO RUEHYD/AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE 0214
C O N F I D E N T I A L ACCRA 000464 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/11/2017
TAGS: PREF GH EK
SUBJECT: REFUGEE REFERRAL FOR RICARDO ECUA-MBA

REF: 03 STATE 326248

Classified By: REFUGEE COORDINATOR NATE BLUHM FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (
D)

C O N F I D E N T I A L ACCRA 000464

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/11/2017
TAGS: PREF GH EK
SUBJECT: REFUGEE REFERRAL FOR RICARDO ECUA-MBA

REF: 03 STATE 326248

Classified By: REFUGEE COORDINATOR NATE BLUHM FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (
D)


1. (C) SUMMARY: Embassy Accra hereby refers Ricardo
Ecua-Mba to the U.S. Resettlement Program, together with his
son, both of whom took refuge in Ghana in 2000. Ecua-Mba is
the former Vice Minister of Education and Assistant Director
General of the military cabinet of Equatorial Guinea. In
1983, he was falsely accused of having participated in an
attempted coup and spent two years in jail. In 1986, he fled
to Gabon, where he was recognized as a refugee. After having
survived two attempted assassinations and three attempted
kidnappings, Ecua-Mba fled to Ghana, where he is totally
dependent on charity. He receives no assistance from UNHCR
and the GOG has not granted him refugee status; in 2005 his
second son succumbed to illness and died. We believe
resettlement represents the only durable solution for
Ecua-Mba and his son. End Summary.


2. (C) Post's refugee referral is for Ricardo Ecua-Mba,
DPOB: 18 OCT 1959, Akonekien, Equatorial Guinea, who has
taken refuge in Ghana along with one family member:

Son: Santiago Ecua-Mba, DPOB: 23 MAR 1983, Malabo,
Equatorial Guinea


3. (C) Ecua-Mba completed his secondary education in Mongomo
in 1976. Three years later, Ecua-Mba participated in the
bloody coup that toppled the Macias dictatorship. He
admitted that he killed other combatants but did not engage
in any human rights abuses against civilians. Soon
afterward, he received military training in Cuba and joined
President Obiang's cabinet as Vice Minister of Education, a
position he held until October 1982. From February to May
1983 he served as Assistant Director General of Obiang's
military cabinet.


4. (C) In 1983, Ecua-Mba was accused of participating in a
coup attempt against the Obiang regime and sent to prison for
two years. Through the intervention of Amnesty
International, Ecua-Mba was released in September 1985, later
fleeing to Gabon in January 1986. Though recognized as a
refugee, Ecua-Mba had no job nor permanent home and his
children were unable to attend school. His wife was unable
to endure these harsh circumstances and divorced him. Twice
he survived assassination attempts and three times he was
nearly kidnapped. As his situation in Gabon became more
tenuous, Ecua-Mba decided to leave for Ghana in 2000 along
with his two sons, Santiago and Juan.


5. (C) Despite appeals from Ghanaian human rights activists,
neither the GOG nor the Accra office of UNHCR has granted
Ecua-Mba refugee status or assistance of any kind. At one
point, he placed his sons in an orphanage, but Juan succumbed
to illness in 2005 and died. At present Ecua-Mba is totally
dependent on the charity, receiving sustenance from the
Adventist Church. He has few prospects for self-sufficiency
in a country where he does not speak the language and cannot
obtain a work or residence permit.


6. (C) Embassy Malabo cleared this cable and has no
objection to the referral, but cannot vouch for all the
details of Ecua-Mba's claim.

BRIDGEWATER