National Liberation Movement of Equatorial Guinea

The National Movement for the Liberation of Equatorial Guinea (Spanish: Movimiento Nacional de Liberación de Guinea Ecuatorial, Monalige) is a political party in Equatorial Guinea founded by Acacio Mañé Ela. It was one of the first pro-independence political movements in Spanish Guinea, during the 1950s.

History

Beginning

The Monalige was created in the early 1950s, although some sources suggest its creation date was in 1947 or 1948. At that period of time it was named National Crusade for the Liberation of Equatorial Guinea (Spanish: Cruzada Nacional de Liberación de Guinea Ecuatorial, NCLEG). The NCLEG was led by Acacio Mañé Ela, who at that time developed a wide and profound popularity for his ideas of independence, carried out mainly among the most educated or prosperous social strata and individuals with social influence, such as teachers, administrators, farmers and catechists. Some of his most well-known supporters were Bubi Marcos Ropo Uri, Fang Enrique Now and Francisco Ondo Micha. In 1959, Acacio Mañé Ela was assassinated by the colonial authorities.

In the late 1950s (dates vary depending on the source consulted: 1952, 1956 or 1959), the NCLEG changed its name to the National Movement for the Liberation of Equatorial Guinea (Monalige, initially MNLGE), at the proposal of Atanasio Ndongo, who was elected as a secretary general of the party. Other Monalige leaders were Abilio Balboa Arkins, Pastor Torao Sikara, Francisco Dougan Mendo, Felipe Njoli, Agustín Efieso, Esteban Nsue, Ángel Masié and Justino Mbi. Monalige supporters mostly came from the native bourgeoisie, including small and medium-sized businessmen and professionals.