Equatorial Guinea Recognized at 28th FAO Regional Conference for Africa for its contribution to the Food Aid Fund

This week, representatives from Equatorial Guinea attended the 28^th FAO Regional Conference for Africa in Tunisia to address issues of food security and the implementation of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP).

Equatorial Guinea was recognized as one of the two top contributors to the Food Aid Fund, which currently has forty million dollars to support projects in the Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mali and Niger.

           

Attendants included Ministers of Agriculture from participating countries, as well as senior officials and representatives of civil society and development partners, to improve the sustainability of agriculture, fisheries, livestock and forestry as a source of employment and income for those working in food security and nutrition.

Recently, the FAO has reported an improvement in the production of staple crops, a variety of bananas and a higher yielding maize. However, the agency said that it is insufficient to meet the demands of a growing population and climate change.

Equatorial Guinea’s contribution to the fund is reflective of its dedication to the growth of the region and the improvement of quality of life for all Africans. 

Equatorial Guinea Inaugurates a New School Complex in Kogo II

New education facility will provide schooling to more than 900 students

The Government of Equatorial Guinea oversaw the inauguration of a new educational facility this week located in Kogo II, which will provide schooling to more than 900 students.

The Second Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister for Education and Science, Lucas Nguema Esono Mbang, was present at the inauguration along with the District Inspector of Education of Kogo, Felipe Mateo Ndong Eyang.

The new educational complex was designed to house two schools including the Roque Enguang Ondo and Santo Angel de la Guarda. Both schools will have meeting rooms, libraries, restrooms, hallways and laboratories, among other features.

In addition to providing the new features for the schools, the Second Deputy Prime Minister also delivered work materials including printers, computers and sports items.

Through the development of new educational facilities such as the complex in Kogo II, the Government of Equatorial Guinea has helped promote education nationwide in efforts to implement the national development plan Horizon 2020.

Equatorial Guinea Participates in the 130th Assembly of the Interparlimentary Union

Government officials from Equatorial Guinea participated in the 130^th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), designed to renew a commitment to peace and democracy, which took place March 16 to 20 in Geneva, Switzerland.

Over 715 parliamentarians from 141 countries convened to discuss eliminating the world’s nuclear weapons and the conflicts in Syria, Ukraine and Central African Republic in attempt to develop potential solutions to the problems.

Teresa Efua Asangono, President of the Senate, led Equatorial Guinea’s delegation. During her speech at the opening session, Asangono stressed that the government of Equatorial Guinea is committed to ensure democracy, freedom, peace, social justice and sustainable development in support of the national development plan, Horizon 2020.

Participating in unions such as the IPU showcases Equatorial Guinea’s dedication to the implementation of Horizon 2020 and improving the quality of life for Equatoguineanos.

Government of Equatorial Guinea’s Announcement regarding Second Vice President’s Statement

The Republic of Equatorial Guinea confirmed that in the framework of cooperation with the French judicial authorities, on Tuesday, March 18, a videoconference took place so that H.E. the Second Vice President for Defense and State Security, Nguema Obiang Mangue, may in respect to his functions, assert his rights in the context of an open trial in France, at the initiative of obscure associations against several African Heads of State.

The decision of the French judges to notify His Excellency of his indictment for money laundering violates international public law, which grants full and absolute judicial immunity to all Heads of State and current senior representatives of the acting State.

This judicial cooperation will finally allow the sending of this case file to the competent jurisdictions in order to end, in this way, this situation of flagrant violation of international law, orchestrated within the framework of the campaign of systematic denigration that has been carried out against Vice President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, H.E. Nguema Obiang Mangue, internationally, for years.

In this process, we must recall that, at the time, the Equatorial Guinean Government informed the French judges that the Second Vice President of the Republic has diplomatic immunity due to his position, and if they wanted to make him declare they could do it through letters rogatory, addressing the judges and courts of Equatorial Guinea. It was the denial of this option by the French judges, which blocked the process for nearly two years.

The Government of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, seeing this unjust, illegal and vicious behavior, which disregards the Equatorial Guinean Government in general, and its members in particular, made the decision that the Second Vice President would not be present to testify, under any circumstances, in France, standing firm on the principle of recognition of his diplomatic immunity.

The commission, which was finally held in Equatorial Guinea this past Tuesday and before Equatorial Guinean judges, terminates the order of arrest, which was maintained, at France's request, by European Union countries. Interpol, meanwhile, reported last year the closing of this order for the other countries.

This is a victory for the Government because the diplomatic immunity of the Second Vice President of the Republic has prevailed, and the decision of the Government of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea to maintain this immunity has never wavered, despite attempts to blackmail the French judges.

This trial, which has been called of "ill-gotten gains" and that was initiated against several African countries, is a political case in the attempt to use it to destabilize Equatorial Guinea, a country that, although it is adhered to the French zone of influence in Africa, is not a former French colony.

Since this process of "ill-gotten gains" began, supposedly launched against different African countries, in the last three years the specific cases against Equatorial Guinea and its leaders were practically the only ones spoken of.

On the other hand, France has not respected the agreements on mutual protection of property that it signed with Equatorial Guinea, which is why the Government of Equatorial Guinea at the time filed a lawsuit in the International Court against France for failure to uphold these agreements. So far, the French State has not responded to this lawsuit, thus demonstrating its lack of interest in working with Equatorial Guinea. All the evidence suggests that this is a politicized case with which France is trying, at all costs, to destabilize Equatorial Guinea.

For the principle of National Unity and for the prevailing Peace in Equatorial Guinea, we will always remain firm against any conspiracy from any other country.

We have always trusted the justice system and the presumption of innocence. That is why Equatorial Guinea will appeal against any court decision that could harm its interests or those of any member of its Government. Therefore, we expect that during this process, truth and professional ethics of judges who try this case by jurisdiction will prevail.

Bata, March 20, 2014

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF EQUATORIAL GUINEA

Equatorial Guinea Hosts the Fifth Session of the African Petroleum Producers Association

This week, Equatorial Guinea welcomed delegates from the African Petroleum Producers Association (APPA), an intergovernmental organization designed to promote collaboration among petroleum producing countries in Africa, for the 5th session of Local Administrators of APPA.  

The session officially began on March 20 and will run until March 31^st.  Officials of Equatorial Guinea’s government, including Secretary General of the Minister of Mines, Industry and Energy, Vicente Abeso Mbuy, are working to ensure that the sessions are efficient and that the review of final reports leads to improvements for the association overall.

At the conclusion of the session, the Council of Ministers of APPA will meet to discuss next steps.

For more information about the agenda, go here: http://www.appa.int/pub/Chrono_RS_mars_2014.pdf.

Equatorial Guinea Delegates Discuss Agriculture at Forum in Cameroon

This week, representatives from Equatorial Guinea, including the Chairman of the Council of Scientific and Technological Research, Anacleto Olo Mibuy, traveled to the Republic of Cameroon to attend the African Research Center of Bananas and Plantains (CARBAP) forum on agriculture.

CARBAP is an organization that focuses on improving the research of crops and developing a more effective technique for production, which hosted the forum. Together, participants worked to establish the headquarters of the project and the budget.

In addition, attendees reviewed the annual report for 2013 and discussed the recruitment of new researchers in genetics and agro-economic resources.

This forum showcased the Government of Equatorial Guinea’s dedication to the diversification of the economy by developing various sectors including agriculture.

Equatorial Guinea and International Organizations Discusses Peaceful Solutions for the Central African Republic Crisis

Nation suggested programs to support sectors to ease tensions

Equatorial Guinea’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Agapito Mba Mokuy, met with ambassadors and representatives of international organizations based in the country to discuss economic assistance and other mechanisms to encourage a peaceful resolution of the crisis in the Central African Republic and help ease the suffering in the country.

Minister Mba Mokuy confirmed at the meeting that Equatorial Guinea would continue its military deployment in the country as part of the international humanitarian and peacekeeping effort. The meeting dealt with ideas for programs to support education, health, youth-focused activities, and sports, as well as means to assist in professionalizing the military of the Central African Republic and ensure that the members of the armed forces are properly compensated.

Equatorial Guinea is working in concert with France, the European Union and other countries that have engaged to resolve the Central African Republic conflict. It sent a contingent of armed forces to the Central African Republic last October to support the international humanitarian mission.

Equatorial Guinea is sending a new contingent of armed forces to the Central African Republic to replace the current group.

Equatorial Guinea's Minister of Health Launches National Strategy for Primary Health Care

On March 11, Equatorial Guinea’s Department of Health and Social Welfare inaugurated a seminar for district health teams at the School of Medicine of Bata in support of the national strategy for primary health care.

The seminar was designed to provide training for professionals throughout the district centers in order to improve local healthcare. According to the Minister of Health, Nsue Milang, this seminar aligns with the Government’s objective to provide healthcare for all Equatoguineans.

He said that improving human resources by training professionals in the industry is an important part of the national health strategy, as well as providing the proper materials and resources.

The Government has implemented a number of initiatives and projects, such as the seminar training, nationwide to improve overall healthcare and promote development within the country.  Just last week, in fact, a new medical clinic was opened in Mongomo, Equatorial Guinea, to enhance public health.

Equatorial Guinea and South Africa Explore Ways to Strengthen Relations

The Government of Equatorial Guinea welcomed a delegation from South Africa this week to discuss ways in which the two countries can strengthen bilateral relations.

Representatives of two countries including the South African Ambassador, Victor Rambau, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Agapito Mba Mokuy, paid particular attention to improving collaboration on the agriculture and fishing industries.

These were also two key sectors highlighted during Equatorial Guinea’s recent summit on economic diversification, which was held to promote international investment and the implementation of the national development plan, Horizon 2020.

Equatorial Guinea to Host Meeting for Countries of the Franc Zone

Equatorial Guinea will host the biannual meeting for countries of the Franc Zone, countries that use the CFA franc, to be held on April 2-3, 2014.

The government expects approximately 350 participants, including representatives of major financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. The Inter-ministerial Council, which will oversee the execution of the event, will lead a discussion on the macroeconomic situation of countries that use the CFA franc. 

According to the Minister of Finance and Budgets, Marcelino Owono Edu, the Inter-ministerial Council, recently approved two separate decrees that help promote the implementation of the national development plan, Horizon 2020, and its objective to diversify the economy. 

The decree to continue working on the diversification of the national economy aligns with the objectives of the recent summit “Emerging Equatorial Guinea,” which was designed to promote international investment in the country in various growing industries.

Equatorial Guinea Presents a New Boeing for Ceiba

President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea presented a new aircraft for the national airline, Ceiba Intercontinental, last Friday.

The aircraft is a Boeing 737-800 named Bioko, and was delivered to support the airline’s objective to meet the needs of national transport and that of the central African subregion.

According to President Obiang, they are also looking into ways to expand Ceiba globally and include international routes. This past February, the Government signed an agreement with Portugal to explore airspace, and there has also been mention of developing a route from Malabo to the United States.

Since Ceiba made its first intercontinental flight on October 4, 2012 from Malabo to Madrid, it has continued to develop as a result of the growing demand for air service to the country. This is reflective of the country’s growing economy and the Government’s efforts to implement the national development plan, Horizon 2020.

Equatorial Guinea Opens New Medical Clinic in Mongomo

Polyclinic Medical Center Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mongomo. The clinic will support the Government’s efforts to enhance public health throughout the nation, by providing improved medical health services to citizens.

The medical health services the clinic will provide include the following: emergency services, MRIs, tomography, radiology, cardiology, urology, dentistry, dialysis, rehabilitation, physiotherapy rooms, central sterile supply items, intensive care, delivery rooms, hospitalization for internal medicine and hospitalization for surgery and orthopedics.

Offering these medical services to Equatoguineans is an important step for the Government as it works to implement the national development plan, Horizon 2020. In addition to the new medical center, the Government also appointed a new team to the La Paz Medical Center of Bata.

These recent developments closely align with the plan’s objective to improve public health nationwide and provide all citizens access to healthcare.