Online Reporter
Debra Matabvu-Senior Reporter
EQUATORIAL Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo is expected in Harare today for a two-day State visit that will see him and President Mnangagwa sign key bilateral agreements aimed at deepening cooperation between the two nations.
The visit follows the successful inaugural session of the Zimbabwe-Equatorial Guinea Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation (JPCC) held early last month.
Agreements expected to be signed include the Agreement on Economic and Trade Cooperation, an agreement on the Training of Translators and Interpreters, and a Memorandum of Understanding in the fields of education, agriculture and mining, among others.
In an interview yesterday, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira said the visit sought to strengthen relations and explore new areas of cooperation.
“We are expecting President Mbasogo for a two-day State visit and he is expected to arrive tomorrow (today),” he said.
“The purpose of the visit is to basically strengthen the relations between the two countries.
“We expect that there will be signing of instruments of cooperation between the two countries and also discuss various new potential areas of cooperation.
“He is also expected to visit some local places.”
Speaking at a recent post-Cabinet media briefing, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Zhemu Soda said the inaugural JPCC session held in May was designed to promote regional and Pan-African cultural, economic and political integration, consolidate long-standing diplomatic ties, expand bilateral economic cooperation and finalise legal instruments to deepen sectoral collaboration.
Among the key outcomes of the meeting, Harare and Malabo committed to accelerating economic cooperation, promoting regional integration and enhancing political and diplomatic consultations.
The two countries also agreed to strengthen cooperation in trade, education, agriculture, wildlife management, fisheries, tourism and mining, while pursuing the rationalisation of visa fees.
Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea enjoy warm and long-standing relations.
In 2004, Zimbabwe played a pivotal role in foiling an attempted coup in Equatorial Guinea that had been plotted by a group of mercenaries.
Relations between the two countries have continued to flourish since then.
President Mnangagwa attended President Mbasogo’s inauguration in Malabo in December 2022.
Zimbabwe was the only English-speaking African country invited to attend the ceremony.
In 2023, President Mnangagwa paid a three-day State visit to Equatorial Guinea, during which he was gifted a fully furnished Presidential Villa in Malabo by President Mbasogo.
