Equatorial Guinea appoints its first female prime minister

Equatorial Guinea’s President Teodoro Obiang Nguema on Tuesday appointed his vice-minister of education, Manuela Roka Botey, as prime minister, the first time a woman has held the role in the West African country.

Botey’s new position was announced on state television late on Tuesday.

Obiang, 80, was re-elected for a sixth term in office in November with 95% of the vote, cementing his place as the world’s longest-standing ruler.

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