Equatorial Guinea abolishes death penalty
Approximately 30 African nations still allow the death penalty, although more than 20 of those haven't carried out an execution in at least ten years, according to statistics provider Statista.
Boakyewaa Lawrencia 
According to a new criminal code that President Teodoro Obiang signed, the death sentence has been abolished in Equatorial Guinea, official media has claimed.
In this nation, the most recent execution was eight years ago.
Vice-President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, the son of Mr. Obiang, reportedly called the choice "historical and remarkable."
According to Reuters, the new penal law will go into effect after 90 days.
President Obiang committed to ending the death penalty three years ago, and now it has been done.
Nada Al-Nashif, the temporary UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, commended the new law.
"I applaud Equatorial Guinea's approval of a new penal code that does away with the death penalty.
The fundamental principles of human rights and dignity are incompatible with the death sentence, she declared in a statement.
Approximately 30 African nations still allow the death penalty, although more than 20 of those haven't been executed in at least ten years, according to statistics provider Statista.
