Online Reporter
Debra Matabvu, [email protected]
PRESIDENT MNANGAGWA and his Equatorial Guinea counterpart, President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, are today expected to preside over the inaugural Bi-National Commission (BNC), during which several agreements are set to be signed.
The Equatorial Guinea leader arrived in Harare yesterday for a two-day State visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.
He was received at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport by President Mnangagwa, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, senior Government officials and service chiefs. President Mbasogo was accorded a 21-gun salute and inspected a guard of honour before being escorted to his hotel. Last night, President Mnangagwa hosted a State banquet in his honour at State House.
Today, the two Heads of State are expected to co-chair the BNC, sign cooperation agreements and explore new areas of collaboration between Harare and Malabo.
During his visit, President Mbasogo is also expected to tour several historical, industrial and political sites in Harare, including the National Heroes Acre, Geo Pomona Waste Management Company and the Museum of African Liberation.
In an interview, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira said the visit was aimed at consolidating ties and expanding cooperation between the two countries.
“The purpose of the visit 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 sites,” said Prof Murwira.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Zhemu Soda recently said the inaugural session of the Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation (JPCC), 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, Harare and Malabo committed to accelerating economic cooperation, regional integration and strengthening political and diplomatic consultations. Specific areas of cooperation include trade promotion, education, rationalisation of visa fees, and collaboration in agriculture, wildlife management, fisheries, tourism and mining.
Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea enjoy warm relations dating back to the early 2000s, when Harare played a key role in foiling a 2004 coup attempt in Malabo that had been plotted by a group of mercenaries.
Since then, the two countries have maintained strong diplomatic relations.
President Mnangagwa visited Malabo in December 2022 to attend President Mbasogo’s inauguration, with Zimbabwe being the only English-speaking country invited to the ceremony. In 2023, President Mnangagwa also undertook a three-day State visit to Equatorial Guinea, during which he was gifted a fully furnished presidential villa in Malabo by President Mbasogo.
The residence, named “Villa Zimbabwe”, is intended for use by the Zimbabwean Head of State during official visits to the Central African nation.
