Report Contents
What OIG Inspected
OIG inspected the operating environment, executive direction, policy and program implementation, resource management, and information management operations of Embassy Malabo.
What OIG Recommends
OIG made 30 recommendations to Embassy Malabo. In its comments on the draft report, the embassy concurred with all 30 recommendations. OIG considers all 30 recommendations resolved. The embassy’s response to each recommendation, and OIG’s reply, can be found in the Recommendations section of this report. The embassy’s formal response is reprinted in its entirety in Appendix B.
What OIG Found
- Embassy Malabo operated in a challenging environment that negatively impacted operations. Embassy staff demonstrated commendable resilience in this environment, but they strained to maintain internal controls and meet Department of State standards in operational matters.
- The Ambassador and Deputy Chief of Mission inconsistently modeled some of the Department’s leadership and management principles.
- The Ambassador fulfilled his responsibilities to oversee the embassy’s strategic planning and activities under a difficult operating environment.
- Attendance by U.S. direct-hire staff and families at a weekly happy hour hosted by U.S.-based oil companies likely violated Department policies on the receipt of gifts.
- The Political-Economic Section’s reporting and advocacy advanced Department and Integrated Country Strategy priorities.
- The Consular Section did not have an active American Liaison Network to assist in communicating with U.S. citizens in Equatorial Guinea.
- The contracting officer’s representative did not document some required tasks for the local employee health insurance contract.
- The embassy did not manage controlled substances in the Health Unit in accordance with Department standards.
- Spotlight on Success: The embassy played an important role in coordinating a large interagency team to successfully contain an outbreak of the Marburg virus disease in Equatorial Guinea.
- Spotlight on Success: The Public Diplomacy Section has its locally employed staff annually provide feedback on the performance of the Public Affairs Officer, leading to increased communication, trust, and understanding in the section.
Report Terms
Report Recommendations
Embassy Malabo, in coordination with the Office of the Legal Adviser, should review the facts surrounding the Punta Europa compound events to determine whether attendance by Embassy Malabo staff comports with Department policy.
Embassy Malabo should cease attendance at the Punta Europa compound events until the Office of the Legal Adviser has made a determination and only resume attendance if permitted to do so.
Embassy Malabo, in coordination with the Bureau of Consular Affairs and the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, should provide protection from the elements for consular applicants.
Embassy Malabo should institute an American Liaison Network, in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Malabo should complete a visa validation study, in accordance with Department guidelines.
Embassy Malabo should bring its property management program into compliance with Department standards.
Embassy Malabo should bring its furniture and appliance pool program into compliance with Department standards.
Embassy Malabo should administer its housing program, in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Malabo should implement internal controls for residential generator fuel deliveries and storage, in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Malabo should bring its motor vehicle safety program into compliance with Department standards.
Embassy Malabo should review and verify data accuracy for its motor vehicle fleet periodically, in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Malabo should bring the motor pool preventive maintenance program into compliance with Department standards.
Embassy Malabo should implement management controls for its fuel card program, in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Malabo should bring its contracting officer’s representative program for the local employee health insurance contract into compliance with Department standards.
Embassy Malabo should safeguard and dispose of controlled substances, in accordance with Department guidelines.
Embassy Malabo should manage medication inventory and processes, in accordance with Department guidelines and develop and adhere to a Pharmaceutical Disposal Plan.
Embassy Malabo, in coordination with the Bureau of Global Talent Management, should update its local compensation plan, in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Malabo should establish and administer a training program for its locally employed staff, in accordance with Department guidelines.
Embassy Malabo should require authorizing officials to approve staff requests for overtime in advance, in accordance with Department guidance.
Embassy Malabo should adhere to the Department's recruitment standards for locally employed staff positions.
Embassy Malabo, in coordination with the Bureau of Global Talent Management, should consult with local legal counsel and establish and implement a policy that adheres to Department and host country regulations for management of its third-country national staff.
Embassy Malabo should provide workplace safety training for supervisors and employees, as required by Department guidance.
Embassy Malabo should bring its fire protection program into compliance with Department standards.
Embassy Malabo should review and de-obligate all invalid unliquidated obligations without activity for more than 1 year, in accordance with Department guidance, so that funds of up to $317,000 can be put to better use.
Embassy Malabo should clear overdue travel advances, in accordance with Department guidelines and put funds of up to $22,218 to better use.
Embassy Malabo should bring its cashier operations into compliance with Department standards.
Embassy Malabo should require its locally employed staff to complete the required position-specific training, in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Malabo should budget for and purchase battery backup replacements, and spare or replacement printers and computers, as required by Department guidance.
Embassy Malabo should implement a records management program that complies with Department standards.
Embassy Malabo should permanently repair its high frequency radio and conduct weekly high frequency radio checks, in accordance with Department standards.