Online Reporter
Good day, everyone.
President Mnangagwa is today scheduled for several engagements with Equatorial Guinea’s President, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who arrived in Zimbabwe yesterday for a two-day State visit.
President Mbasogo is accompanied by his wife, First Lady Constancia Mangue Obiang.
The State visit is aimed at strengthening relations between Harare and Ciudad de la Paz, Equatorial Guinea’s newly designated capital, while reaffirming the longstanding friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
President Mnangagwa said the trip reflects Equatorial Guinea’s continued commitment to consolidating the excellent relations between the two nations, and he described it as both a celebration of shared history and an opportunity to chart a bold, transformative future.
Stick with us for the latest updates as official engagements get underway.
Warm welcome for President Mbasogo
President Mnangagwa and First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa last night hosted a State Banquet for President Mbasogo and his wife, First Lady Constancia Mangue Obiang, at State House in Harare.
Speaking at the State Banquet, 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.
“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.”
2023 deals to get impetus
President Mbasogo’s visit to Zimbabwe is poised to build directly on the historic accords signed between the two nations during President Mnangagwa’s 2023 State visit to Malabo.
President Mnangagwa undertook a three-day State visit to Equatorial Guinea from February 6 to 8, 2023, at the invitation of President Nguema.
The highlight of that trip was the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation.
These MOUs span key sectors, including agriculture, mining, tourism, visa reciprocity, a Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPPA), infrastructure and transport, as well as civil aviation accident investigation.
President Mnangagwa and President Mbasogo expected to sign agreements
President Mnangagwa and his Equatorial Guinea counterpart, President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, are expected to preside over the two countries’ Bi-National Commission today.
During the event, the two countries are expected to sign various agreements.
Some of the agreements set to be signed are in areas of education, agriculture, and training of translators, among others.
Today’s session will be preceded by a tete -a- tete between the two leaders at State House, where they will exchange notes on cooperation between the two countries.
‘Increase trade between Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea’
President Mnangagwa has called for increased economic trade and strengthening of relations between Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea.
Speaking at the signing ceremony of Bilateral Agreements between the two countries at State House this afternoon, President Mnangagwa called on public and private sector players in the two countries to increase cooperation.
“The volume of trade and investment gives us room for further expansion and increase,” he said.
“I urge our private and public sectors to pursue bilateral cooperation so that we capitalise on the vast prospects in sectors such as agriculture, mining, tourism, energy, and manufacturing, among others.
He called for the players to increase collaboration, especially in small to medium enterprises run by youth and women.
President Mnangagwa also applauded Equatorial Guinea for supporting Zimbabwe during the United Nations Security Council non-permanent seat elections that were recently held in New York.
He also commended President Mbasogo for condemning the sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe.
Speaking at the same event, Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Nguema Mbasogo said the agreements to be signed today should uplift people from the two countries.
“The agreements signed today should result in tangible results,” he said. “They should enhance sustainable development for the benefit of our people.”
