The Temporary Suspension of Jehovah's Witnesses in Equatorial Guinea is made official.

[jwmanubcn]

The Temporary Suspension of Jehovah's Witnesses in Equatorial Guinea is made official. This month, due to neutrality in Equatorial Guinea, the Jehovah's Witnesses were closed by the government, and subsequently, by government decree, the work and activities of Jehovah's Witnesses throughout the country were temporarily suspended. More information, in Spanish, can be found at these links to Equatorial Guinea newspapers.

https://realequatorialguinea.com/sociedad/se-oficializa-la-suspension-temporal-de-las-actividades-de-testigos-de-jehova-en-guinea-ecuatorial/

 

https://ahoraeg.com/sociedad/2025/04/18/se-suspende-temporalmente-todas-las-actividades-religiosas-de-los-testigos-de-jehova-en-el-pais/

 

[BLEmom]

Forced group prayer. 
Wonder what their freedom of religion laws are…

[Hope]

The irony is not unnoticed... 

[Brandon]

Is it temporary as in, until a certain date? Or ongoing until the court hears our case? (I assume it’s going to court)

[daydream]

1 hour ago, Brandon said:

Or ongoing until the court hears our case? (I assume it’s going to court)

https://realequatorialguinea.com/sociedad/se-oficializa-la-suspension-temporal-de-las-actividades-de-testigos-de-jehova-en-guinea-ecuatorial/

Quote

Not only has this suspension been adopted, but the department has indicated that the case will be referred to the Attorney General's Office, thereby filing a public complaint against Jehovah's Witnesses for "contempt of authority and insubordination."

The Attorney General Office will just rubberstamp the decision of the Executive Branch. Can see Christendom's hand in trying to have Jehovah's Witnesses banned in that country. 

Spoiler

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equatorial_Guinea

 

[Cool.As.Ice]

The fact is, is that this will happen more and more, as neutrality becomes more of an issue in these last days.

 

Pray that Jehovah moves a favorable government official to speak up and intervene.

[Dages]

We are making big numbers in Africa recently, Satan had to try something 😣

[Dolce vita]

" The fact is, is that this will happen more and more " 

 

 I just rewatched the movie Commit Your Way to Jehovah. This is exactly what Papa Musa told Amani, even though he thought it wouldn't happen in their area, that it was just rumors. He corrected his point of view in time, but this lack of caution almost cost the entire family dearly. Let's commit our way to Jehovah !

[Jwanon]

It's cute that the authorities think they have any say in this, as if the reason we are involved in our work and activities is because the government allows us

 

We will simply ignore their decree and carry on as normal, like Daniel who openly prayed to God despite Darius' decree

Edited April 25 by Jwanon

[Ysaias]

If this is a reaction for not joining in a "National Prayer Day", just image how the world would react at JW not sharing their enthusiasm for the "Peace and Security" cry.

 

But we're ready, like the people under Jehoshaphat: "Do not be afraid or be terrified because of this large crowd, for the battle is not yours but God’s. Tomorrow go down against them. They will be coming up by the pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the valley before the wilderness of Je·ruʹel. You will not need to fight this battle. Take your position, stand still, and see the salvation of Jehovah in your behalf." (2 Chronicles 20:13-17.)

 

[carlos]

14 hours ago, Brandon said:

Is it temporary as in, until a certain date? Or ongoing until the court hears our case? (I assume it’s going to court)

 

12 hours ago, daydream said:

https://realequatorialguinea.com/sociedad/se-oficializa-la-suspension-temporal-de-las-actividades-de-testigos-de-jehova-en-guinea-ecuatorial/

The Attorney General Office will just rubberstamp the decision of the Executive Branch. Can see Christendom's hand in trying to have Jehovah's Witnesses banned in that country.

 

Equatorial Guinea's government is a typical African dictatorship where the President (who came to power by means of a coup and executed the previous dictator, his uncle) constantly makes arbitrary decisions and any opposing voice is quickly murdered and suppressed. It's very unlikely any court will overturn any decision of the dictator.

[Doug]

2,600 - 2,800 publishers.

[daydream]

57 minutes ago, Doug said:

2,600 - 2,800 publishers

According to Wikipedia,

As of 2024, the country had a population of 1,795,834. 

 

The country ranks 144th on the 2019 Human Development Index,[13] with less than 1/2 the population having access to clean drinking water and 7.9% of children dying before the age of 5

Since the mid-1990s, Equatorial Guinea has become one of sub-Saharan Africa's largest oil producers. It has subsequently become the richest country per capita in Africa, and its gross domestic product (GDP) adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP) per capita ranks 43rd in the world; however, the wealth is extremely unevenly distributed, with few people benefiting from the oil riches.

[jwmanubcn]

18 hours ago, Doug said:

2,600 - 2,800 publishers.

Equatorial Guinea, some data from the 2024 Annual Report: Maximum Publishers: 2,864; Average: 2,646; % increase over 2023: 9%.

[Andrey]

What is the African Association of Jehovah's Witnesses (AAJW)?

[Dolce vita]

This is what I found: African Association of Jehovah’s Witnesses (AAJW) is a public benefit organization registered in South Africa, with membership in Angola, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. This association works to promote the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms in various parts of the world, particularly when Jehovah’s Witnesses face violations of such rights.

[Doug]

On 4/25/2025 at 8:26 AM, daydream said:

 

The country ranks 144th on the 2019 Human Development Index,[13] with less than 1/2 the population having access to clean drinking water and 7.9% of children dying before the age of 5

Since the mid-1990s, Equatorial Guinea has become one of sub-Saharan Africa's largest oil producers. It has subsequently become the richest country per capita in Africa, and  few people benefiting from the oil riches.

 

This is not rare or unusual.  It's really a snapshot of the hopeless nature of human rule. Corruption rules.

[Brandon]

Ya in fact I asked ChatGPT which continent has the most countries that are dictatorships:

 

Africa: 27 out of 54

Asia: 26 out of 48

Europe: Belarus, Russia

Americas: Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, Venezuela

Oceania: none

 

 

by population, number of people living under authoritarianism:

 

Africa: 750 million people

Asia: 1.85 billion people

[Skye]

I‘m currently in Côte D’Ivoire, and a letter on the suspension of JWs from the local Branch Office (dated 2 May) was read after the Watchtower study today. It invited the friends to a letter-writing campaign. Anyone interested in joining should reach out to an elder. That’s all I got. I wonder whether it will be a global or regional campaign.

[Skye]

2 hours ago, Skye said:

I‘m currently in Côte D’Ivoire, and a letter on the suspension of JWs from the local Branch Office (dated 2 May) was read after the Watchtower study today. It invited the friends to a letter-writing campaign. Anyone interested in joining should reach out to an elder. That’s all I got. I wonder whether it will be a global or regional campaign.

Just to clarify: the letter is from the Côte d’Ivoire branch office, and is regarding the suspension of activities in Equatorial Guinea.

[Skye]

See the letter writing instructions below. I have left out the addresses on purpose - kindly don’t ask me for them.

 

Quote

Letter Campaign in Support of Jehovah's Witnesses in Equatorial Guinea

 

Format

 Make your participation in this campaign the object of your prayers.—1 Timothy 2:1-4.

 Send your letters no later than May 11.

 Send a letter to one or more high officials listed at the end of these instructions.

 

Instructions

 If you are a business owner, you may use your company's letterhead if you wish.

 Write the letters in your language. It is not necessary to have them translated into Spanish. If you are fluent in Spanish, please write them in Spanish.

 Letters must fit on one page and be typed or neatly written by hand.

 Pay attention to spelling, grammar, and punctuation.—See be, pp. 71-73.

 Add your personal signature to the end of the letter.

 No copies of your letters need to be sent to the elders, the branch office, or anyone else.

 Do not include a publication with your letter.

 Use your personal return address on the envelope. Make sure that the recipient's address matches one of the addresses at the end of these instructions.

 Send your letters with sufficient postage by postal mail. Do not use email.

 

Content

 The tone of your letters should be respectful. Remember that "a mild answer turns away rage" and that "a gentle tongue can break a bone."—Proverbs 15:1; 25:15.

 It is appropriate to express your appreciation for the laws of the Equatorial Guinean government that guarantee freedom of religion to all citizens.

 You could inform the official(s) to whom you write of your surprise when you heard the announcement about the suspension of our activities, knowing that Jehovah's Witnesses pay their taxes, respect the laws of the country, and pray for government authorities.— 1 Timothy 2:1, 2.

 Express your hope that the authorities of Equatorial Guinea will defend freedom of worship so that our brothers and sisters can continue to engage in their peaceful religious activities, without hindrance.

 You may want to briefly share how you and your family have personally benefited from our meetings and publications. Do not mention the names of other people who are Jehovah's Witnesses in Equatorial Guinea.

Facts

 On April 18, 2025, State Television (TVGE) in Equatorial Guinea broadcast a government decree stating that all activities of Jehovah's Witnesses in the country are temporarily suspended nationwide. This is because we respectfully refrained from participating in interfaith activities during the National Day of Prayer.

 Jehovah's Witnesses are known globally to strive to be good citizens. They hold the government in high regard and offer prayers for the authorities as the Bible instructs Christians to do. (1 Tim. 2:1, 2) The activities of Jehovah's Witnesses and their publications encourage love for God and neighbor, love within the family, and respect for authority. They remain committed to promoting harmony and respect within the community.

 

Addresses

Please begin each letter with “Your Excellency.” Also, please use the title, name, and address exactly as it appears below.

 

(the rest is the addresses)

 

 

Edited May 8 by Skye

[Andrey]

In behalf of The African Association of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Equatorial Guinea. 2024

https://upr-info.org/sites/default/files/country-document/2025-04/AAJW_UPR47_EquatorialGuinea.pdf

Edited May 17 by Andrey

[trottigy]

SUMMARY OF THE SUBMISSION

This submission to the Human Rights Council (HRC) on Equatorial Guinea highlights human rights issues and current failures by Equatorial Guinea to implement accepted recommendations during the previous Universal Periodic Review (UPR) cycle.

 

Jehovah’s Witnesses in Equatorial Guinea and as a worldwide organization respectfully request that the Government of Equatorial Guinea take the necessary steps to:

 

(1) Respect the right of parents to ensure the religious and moral education of their children in conformity with their own convictions and end expulsions of Jehovah’s Witness children from schools;

 

(2) Ensure that children from minorities can benefit from access to education without discrimination;

 

(3) Guarantee to all, including Jehovah’s Witnesses, freedom to peacefully manifest their religion and to enjoy peaceful freedom of expression throughout the country;

 

(4) Abide by their commitment to uphold the fundamental freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution of Equatorial Guinea, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (the Covenant) and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (the Convention) for all citizens, including Jehovah’s Witnesses.