Convergence for Social Democracy - Definition

Convergence for Social Democracy (Spanish: Convergencia para la Democracia Social, CpDS) is the only major opposition party in Equatorial Guinea. In the 2004 elections, it sent two members to the 100-member parliament.

The CpDS is led by a Secretary-General, who is currently Plácido Micó Abogo. The party's candidate in the December 2002 presidential election was Celestino Bonifacio Bacalé Obiang, who won 2.2% of the vote compared to 97.1% for President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of the Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea. Opposition parties decided to boycott the elections after incidents of alleged fraud and intimidation.

Although the Convergence is a legally recognized party, its members are regularly detained and/or tortured by police.

The CpDS publishes a newsletter called La Verdad ("The Truth").

External link

• Convergence for Social Democracy (http://www.cpds-gq.org/)