Online Reporter
Wallace Ruzvidzo-Herald Reporter
President Mnangagwa and First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa last night hosted a State Banquet for visiting Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo and his wife, First Lady Constancia Mangue Obiang, at State House in Harare.
President Mbasogo and the First Lady arrived in Zimbabwe yesterday for a two-day State visit aimed at strengthening relations between the two countries.
Speaking at the State Banquet, President Mnangagwa said President Mbasogo’s visit reaffirmed Equatorial Guinea’s commitment to consolidating the excellent relations enjoyed between Harare and Ciudad de la Paz, Equatorial Guinea’s new capital city, as decreed by the President in January this year.
“This visit is a celebration of our rich past, brotherly partnership and the enduring bond of friendship between our countries,” said President Mnangagwa.
“It also affords us an opportunity to chart a bold and transformative future for our mutual benefit.
“Zimbabwe is forever indebted to Equatorial Guinea, for the principled and courageous solidarity along with the economic and material support, availed to us during our times of great need, following the imposition of sanctions by some Western countries.
“We shall never forget and will jealously guard our unity, and solidarity.”
President Mnangagwa noted that high-level exchanges between Harare and Ciudad de la Paz have increased in recent years as the two countries seek to deepen bilateral cooperation.
He recalled that his State Visit to Malabo in 2023 culminated in the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering investment, transport, agriculture, mining, fisheries, culture and tourism.
“I recall, during that visit, we reaffirmed the need to initiate our bilateral cooperation mechanisms, including the Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation.
“It is commendable that this has been realised with the convening of the first ever meeting of the Zimbabwe-Equatorial Guinea Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation, in May, ahead of this historic State Visit.
“I am confident that the outcome of these meetings will see the accelerated implementation of the various priority areas of our Agreements,” said the President.
President Mbasogo said the visit should result in concrete commitments and effective follow-up mechanisms.
The people of both countries, he said, expected tangible results, employment opportunities and development.
“They are expecting us to turn our words into reality. And I am convinced that together we can all achieve this. ”
“Therefore, this visit must mark a turning point. The relationship between Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe must identify opportunities and accelerate the implementation of these joint initiatives,” said President Mbasogo.
President Mnangagwa said current international economic relations demand stronger cooperation among African countries and the Global South to achieve equitable development, industrialisation and improved livelihoods.
He said Zimbabwe remains open for business and ready to play its part as a safe and secure investment destination.
“I, therefore, invite business stakeholders to enhance business-to-business linkages for improved trade partnerships and mutual investments.
“Public-private partnerships are also welcome for the full exploitation of the bountiful economic opportunities that exist in our countries,” said President Mnangagwa.
The President also expressed appreciation for the support extended by African countries, including Equatorial Guinea, following Zimbabwe’s successful election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2027-2028 term.
He further thanked President Mbasogo and Equatorial Guinea for their continued solidarity in calling for the unconditional removal of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe.
“We value this unity, which reflects our collective obligation to advancing Africa’s voice and interests within the global governance arena.
“As we celebrate your State Visit, Your Excellency and Dear Brother, let us reaffirm our shared resolve to strengthening bilateral cooperation, enhancing trade and investment, as well as fostering people-to-people relations for the mutual benefit of our peoples,” he said.
In his remarks, President Mbasogo said his visit was a clear expression of the political will to strengthen bilateral relations based on mutual respect, reciprocal cooperation and a shared commitment to Africa’s future.
“Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea, share the same ideals, unite courageously and share a common history of struggle and resilience, and for dignity as African peoples.
“Today, history urges us to advance together towards a new stage, marked by the diversification of our economies, the transformation of natural resources, the acceleration of industrialisation and the strengthening of our human capital in order to facilitate our progress on the international stage.
“Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea share the same ideals that bind us geographically and we share a common history of struggle, resilience, and pursuing dignity as African people,” he said.
President Mbasogo said Equatorial Guinea viewed Zimbabwe as a strategic partner with vast potential for mutually beneficial cooperation.
“In this context, our bilateral relations require a renewed importance.
“Zimbabwe is a nation of enormous potentialities,” he said.
The Equatorial Guinea leader said his country was seeking to build a strategic alliance founded on mutual benefit and reciprocity.
“A relationship in which both nations are benefited and our economies complement each other so that our peoples can see complete results in which opportunities are generated for our youth and the strengthening of collective capacities to face the challenges of the future,” he said.
President Mbasogo said the visit should result in concrete commitments and effective follow-up mechanisms.
The people of both countries, he said, expected tangible results, employment opportunities and development.
“They are expecting us to turn our words into reality. And I am convinced that together we can all achieve this.
“Therefore, this visit must mark a turning point. The relationship between Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe must identify opportunities and accelerate the implementation of these joint initiatives,” said President Mbasogo.
The State Banquet was attended by Cabinet ministers, members of the diplomatic corps, senior Government officials and ZANU PF leaders, among other distinguished guests.
