Equatorial Guinea Constitution of 1973
The 1973 Constitution of Equatorial Guinea was the country's second constitution. It was submitted, without the participation of international observers, to a popular referendum on July 29, 1973, obtaining 99% of votes in favor. and subsequently published in the Official Gazette in August of the same year, under the government of Francisco Macías.
Background
At the request of President Macías, an expert advisor in constitutional law sent by the Cuban government participated in its elaboration, and was integrated into the Equatoguinean Commission in charge of drafting the constitutional text. Although Antonio García-Trevijano is attributed a prominent role in the drafting of the text, in 1979 the former Minister of the Interior, Angel Másié Ntutumu, denied such intervention. The Constitution was drafted during a congress of the United National Workers' Party.Content
The new constitution granted absolute powers to the president, and annulled the provincial administrations; the island of Fernando Poo was renamed "Island of Macias Nguema Biyogo".According to the text, the country was constituted as a Democratic and Popular Republic, and among the objectives of the State was to "consolidate the ideological principles proclaimed by the United National Workers' Party". The rights of freedom of speech and thought were guaranteed, but the press and other means of communication remained under the direct control of the State. Although it is established that political posts are elected by universal suffrage every five years, "in recognition of the high virtues and exalted achievements for the benefit of the Fatherland, the Honorable and Great Comrade Francisco Macías is proclaimed President for Life", in line with what was already established by Constitutional Law in July 1972. Likewise, according to Article 56 and Article 60 and other similar articles, the Single United National Workers' Party came to have all the power.
It was in force until the 1979 [Equatorial Guinea coup d'état|August 1979 coup d'état] carried out by Teodoro Obiang, the so-called Freedom Coup that established the Supreme Military Council of Equatorial Guinea, although a new Constitution was not approved until August 1982.