Nguema was cunning, but he was never what you would call brilliant, certainly not in the area of books. He developed an inferiority complex toward people with higher levels of education as a result. Thus, he launched war on them. The term “intellectual” was outlawed, formal education was abolished, and all libraries were shut down. He murdered every education minister, present and past, as well as every teacher he could get his hands on.

All media, including newspapers, radio, and television, were outlawed. Witch doctors were utilized to heal the ill instead of using Western medicine since it was considered to be anti-African. Because spectacles were linked with academics, Nguema’s anti-intellectual activities included the assassination of persons who wore them. Throughout time, even shoes came to be identified with intellectuals and were outlawed. Only 6 intellectuals were still living in Equatorial Guinea at the conclusion of Nguema’s rule: 2 physicians and 4 graduates of technical schools.

The Witch Doctor President and Other Horrific Rulers