Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Tutu Alicante knows that in Equatorial Guinea, nothing — not even soccer — is beyond the reach of the country’s kleptocratic regime.
In recent years, the government has used the country’s beloved national team to embezzle funds, enrich officials, and polish the regime’s image at home and abroad. When national team captain Emilio Nsue spoke out against corruption and the mistreatment of players, he was suspended — only to be brought back when the regime recognized the power of his popularity.
In this episode of The Dissident’s Mic, Casey Michel, director of HRF’s Combating Kleptocracy Program, sits down with Equatoguinean human rights lawyer and EG Justice Executive Director Tutu Alicante to discuss how authoritarian regimes use sports to launder their reputations, what soccer corruption reveals about the broader kleptocracy in Equatorial Guinea, and why players, journalists, and fans can still play a role in holding these networks accountable.
Learn more about our work at the Human Rights Foundation:
Website: hrf.org
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Subscribe to HRF’s Substack: humanrightsfoundation.substack.com
Join us in promoting freedom where it’s most at risk!
Donate today: hrf.org/?form=donate
Tutu Alicante knows that in Equatorial Guinea, nothing — not even soccer — is beyond the reach of the country’s kleptocratic regime.
In recent years, the government has used the country’s beloved national team to embezzle funds, enrich officials, and polish the regime’s image at home and abroad. When national team captain Emilio Nsue spoke out against corruption and the mistreatment of players, he was suspended — only to be brought back when the regime recognized the power of his popularity.
In this episode of The Dissident’s Mic, Casey Michel, director of HRF’s Combating Kleptocracy Program, sits down with Equatoguinean human rights lawyer and EG Justice Executive Director Tutu Alicante to discuss how authoritarian regimes use sports to launder their reputations, what soccer corruption reveals about the broader kleptocracy in Equatorial Guinea, and why players, journalists, and fans can still play a role in holding these networks accountable.
Learn more about our work at the Human Rights Foundation:
Website: hrf.org
X (formerly Twitter): https://X.com/HRF
Instagram: instagram.com/hrf
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hrf
Subscribe to HRF’s Substack: humanrightsfoundation.substack.com
Join us in promoting freedom where it’s most at risk!
Donate today: hrf.org/?form=donate
