EG Justice stands with the people of Equatorial Guinea to protect their rights and dignity as human beings. We root out and challenge corruption head on.Dr. Wenceslao Mansogo Aló (November 27, 1955 – April 24, 2022) was an Equatoguinean physician, a leading member of the political opposition, and a fervent defender of human rights. After studying and practicing medicine in France, Dr. Mansogo returned to help those in his home country, and he witnessed and personally experienced the critical tolls a dictatorship takes on daily life. He founded and directed Espoir Litoral Medical Center in Bata, where he provided quality medical care to women, children, and men, regardless of the patient’s political views or ability to pay for treatment.
Dr. Mansogo was a courageous and outspoken advocate for human rights. As the secretary for international relations and human rights of the Convergence for Social Democracy Party (CPDS), Dr. Mansogo prepared numerous reports to document instances of torture, arbitrary detention, extrajudicial killings, forced eviction, and illegal seizure of property in Equatorial Guinea. Notably, he submitted numerous human rights reports to the United Nations Human Rights bodies, and he spoke at plenary sessions and on expert panels in Geneva, in connection to the Universal Periodic Review of Equatorial Guinea by the UN Human Rights Council in 2009, 2014, and 2019.
In 2012, following the death of a patient during surgery, Dr. Mansogo was arrested without a warrant or charges, convicted without evidence, and sentenced to three years in prison, plus a 5-year revocation of his medical license, the indefinite closure of his private clinic, and a hefty fine to be paid to the patient’s family. Even his lawyer was suspended for 2 years by the government for defending him. In response to the politically motivated trial and conviction, international organizations including Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, the Socialist International, Physicians for Human Rights, and EG Justice launched a global campaign calling for Dr. Mansogo’s release. Pressure from these advocacy groups led to his pardon and release after four months in prison in dire conditions.
Dr. Mansogo’s commitment to challenging injustice continued even as his health declined in recent years; he criticized the government’s politicization and poor handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, and he called for improved strategies to combat the virus’s spread and enable equitable access to quality healthcare. He keenly understood the workings of political and healthcare systems, and he denounced the government’s failures with words and actions, working tirelessly to promote equal access to healthcare, education, justice, and freedom.
In 2020, Dr. Mansogo received the Silver Medal from the Grand Prix Humanitaire de France in recognition for his courage, self-sacrifice, and life’s work caring for the most vulnerable in Equatorial Guinea.
EG Justice is proud to expand Dr. Mansogo’s legacy and honor his lifelong work through the Dr. Mansogo Aló Health & Human Rights Fellowship to support and inspire a new generation of activists and scholars committed to securing access to health, human rights, and justice.
EG Justice stands with the people of Equatorial Guinea to protect their rights and dignity as human beings. We root out and challenge corruption head on.The Dr. Mansogo Aló Health & Human Rights Fellowship will support individuals engaged in human rights, public health, and social justice work. The Fellow will develop their own project or work closely on a project addressing a priority area of need determined in collaboration with EG Justice. The Fellowship will promote a deeper understanding of and help seek solutions to health-related disparities and inequalities, and human rights violations.
The 3-month fellowship will provide funding for the Fellow to travel to Equatorial Guinea to advance collaborative projects, provide consultations, organize seminars, engage in community-based work, or facilitate forums for discussing different subject areas to develop a thorough understanding of matters relevant to the subject area. Additionally, the fellow will receive a stipend to cover the cost of their housing, meals, and necessary local transportation.
Fellowships are awarded competitively to qualified applicants. EG Justice welcomes applications from all countries.
EG Justice stands with the people of Equatorial Guinea to protect their rights and dignity as human beings. We root out and challenge corruption head on.Candidates for the Dr. Mansogo Aló Health & Human Rights Fellowship are individuals committed to addressing health-related disparities and inequalities, and defending human rights. The qualities sought include proven interest or work experience in an area such as public health, human rights, or anti-corruption advocacy, activism, outreach, and/or research.
The Fellowship will be awarded to next-generation leaders, rights activists, scholars, or professionals who passionately defend human rights and justice. The application must include an overview of the applicant’s current work related to health and/or human rights, provide records of any prior research or advocacy, and demonstrate a desire to further develop the skills needed to make an impact.
Applicants must have exceptional analytical abilities, as well as oral and written communication skills in English and Spanish. Familiarity with countries or regions where serious public health challenges exist, or where human rights violations occur is highly desired.
Applicants should be highly motivated and well organized, able to work quickly and well under pressure—both independently and as a team member—, capable of handling multiple tasks, and prepared to meet tight deadlines. The fellowship period will require creativity, initiative, perseverance, and flexibility while maintaining EG Justice's high methodological standards.
EG Justice stands with the people of Equatorial Guinea to protect their rights and dignity as human beings. We root out and challenge corruption head on.Applicants must meet the following requirements:
1. Be enrolled as an advanced undergraduate student (junior or senior) or have graduated from a college or university *(Graduate students and professionals are highly encouraged to apply)
-or-
Be a community leader or human rights activist
2. Be proficient in speaking and writing in Spanish and English
3. Be able to travel to Equatorial Guinea and live there for part or the entirety of the fellowship. EG Justice will cover the costs of travel to and from Equatorial Guinea.
EG Justice is deeply committed to inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility. We strive for this in our human rights advocacy work and workplace culture and practices. EG Justice is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for the fellowship without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
EG Justice stands with the people of Equatorial Guinea to protect their rights and dignity as human beings. We root out and challenge corruption head on.To be considered for the Dr. Mansogo Aló Health & Human Rights Fellowship, the online application should be completed through EG Justice’s portal, by April 20, 2023, and must include the following materials:
1. Resume outlining relevant experience
2. Cover letter including the following:
a. Explanation of the applicant’s interest in the fellowship, including—when applicable--a brief description of the project they would develop, or their interest in supporting an ongoing EG Justice project;
b. How this fellowship would advance their work in public health and/or rights activism
c. Skills and experiences they have that will allow them to excel in this role
* Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Please contact Tutu Alicante at tutu@egjustice.org with any questions about the Dr. Mansogo Aló Health & Human Rights Fellowship.
EG Justice stands with the people of Equatorial Guinea to protect their rights and dignity as human beings. We root out and challenge corruption head on.Our deep appreciation goes to the Mansogo Aló family and to the following donors for their generous sponsorship of this fellowship and their commitment to inspiring a new generation of health and human rights activists.
Ambassador Mark Asquino
Dr. Alicia Overstreet Galeano
Dr. David Tate & Dr. Karen Davies
Dr. Ned Schroering & Robin Gordon
Dr. David Stuesse
If you wish to make a gift that will honor Dr. Wenceslao Mansogo Aló’s legacy and inspire the next generation of activists and researchers, you may click here to donate online, or send your donation to:
EG JUSTICE
PO Box 34213
Washington DC 20005