Nicolas Obama Nchama

Equatorial Guinea authorities have denied human rights violations and having political prisoners as suggested by the Portuguese parliament, DW Radio reported.

Equatorial Guinea has launched a dragnet for "mercenaries" behind a bid to overthrow President Theodoro Obiang, Africa's longest-serving leader, a senior government official said on Friday.

Chad's Foreign Minister Mahamat Zen Cherif, in a visit to Equatorial Guinea after a bid to overthrow long-time President Teodoro Obiang Nguema, condemned the attempted coup as a "major threat" to central Africa.

Clashes were reported in Equatorial Guinea near the border with Cameroon on Wednesday, shortly after the West African state said it had thwarted a coup against President Teodoro Obiang Nguema, Africa's longest-serving leader.

Troops in Equatorial Guinea shot dead a "mercenary" during clashes on Wednesday near the border with Cameroon, state television reported, hours after an official said the government had thwarted a coup against President Teodoro Obiang.

The West African state of Equatorial Guinea said Wednesday it had thwarted "a coup" against President Teodoro Obiang Nguema, Africa's longest-serving leader, that had allegedly been mounted by foreign mercenaries recruited by his political opponents.