Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo

Known as " El Jefe " (The Boss), Obiang is "in permanent contact with the Almighty", according to a state radio report broadcast last year. "He can decide to kill without anyone calling him to account and without going to hell because it is God himself with whom he is in permanent contact, and who gives him his strength," a presidential aide told listeners. (4/25/04--suntimes.co.za)

[He] has ruled Equatorial Guinea since 1979 when he overthrew his uncle and had him executed.

His government has been described by several human rights groups as among the worst abusers of human rights in Africa.

The tiny west African country has grown to become the continent's third largest exporter of oil, but despite the new- found wealth most of its 500,000 inhabitants still live in abject poverty.