Government refute rumourthat President Obiang had died

The Equatorial Guinean government refuted rumours on 14 October 2008 that President Teodoro Obiang had died or fallen into a coma. Government officials stated that the president is in good health and that the reports were a fabrication by the opposition to undermine the government. The Democrats for Change opposition group claimed that inside sources had stated that Obiang had died or fallen into a serious coma in the evening of 13 October and that news of the situation was being withheld from the public in order to prepare Obiang's son to take over the position. Although Obiang has not yet made a public appearance to refute the rumours, he reportedly appeared healthy at several Independence Day celebrations earlier in the day on 13 October.