Foreign relations of Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea
This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
Equatorial Guinea
Administrative divisions (provinces)

A transitional agreement, signed in October 1968, implemented a Spanish preindependence decision to assist Equatorial Guinea and provided for the temporary maintenance of Spanish forces there. A dispute with President Francisco Macías Nguema in 1969 led to a request that all Spanish troops immediately depart, and a large number of civilians left at the same time. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were never broken but were suspended by Spain in March 1977 in the wake of renewed disputes. After Macias' fall in 1979, President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo asked for Spanish assistance, and since then, Spain has regained influence in Equatorial Guinea's diplomatic relations. The two countries signed permanent agreements for economic and technical cooperation, private concessions, and trade relations. President Obiang made an official visit to Madrid in March 2001, and senior Spanish Foreign Ministry officials visited Malabo during 2001 as well. Spain maintained a bilateral assistance program in Equatorial Guinea. Some Equato-Guinean opposition elements are based in Spain to the annoyance of the government in Malabo.

The government's official policy is one of nonalignment. In its search for assistance to meet the goal of national reconstruction, the government of Equatorial Guinea has established diplomatic relations with numerous European and Third World countries. Having achieved independence under UN sponsorship, Equatorial Guinea feels a special kinship with that organization. It became the 126th UN member on November 12, 1968. Equatorial Guinea currently serves as a non-permanent member on the United Nations Security Council with a two-year term ending in 2019.

Bilateral relations

Country Formal relations established Notes
 Argentina
  • Argentina is accredited to Equatorial Guinea from its embassy in Abuja, Nigeria.
  • Equatorial Guinea is accredited to Argentina from its embassy in Brasília, Brazil.
 Armenia19 May 1992

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 19 May 1992.

 Brazil
  • Brazil has an embassy in Malabo.
  • Equatorial Guinea has an embassy in Brasília.
 Cameroon

Equatorial Guinea has cordial relations with neighbouring Cameroon, although there was criticism in Cameroon in 2000 about perceived mistreatment of Cameroonians working in Equatorial Guinea. Cameroon and E. Guinea have an unresolved maritime border dispute. The majority Fang ethnic group of mainland Equatorial Guinea extends both north and south into the forests of Cameroon and Gabon. Cameroon exports some food products to Equatorial Guinea and imports oil from Equatorial Guinea for its refinery at nearby Limbe.

In December 2008, Equatorial Guinea security forces killed a Cameroonian fisherman and abducted two immigrants, Cameroon closed its border in response.[1]

  • Cameroon has an embassy in Malabo and a consulate in Bata.
  • Equatorial Guinea has an embassy in Yaoundé and a consulate-general in Ebolowa and a consulate in Douala.
 ChinaSee China–Equatorial Guinea relations

The People's Republic of China and the Republic of Equatorial Guinea established diplomatic relations on October 15, 1970.[2]

  • China has an embassy in Malabo.
  • Equatorial Guinea has an embassy in Beijing.
 Cuba
  • Cuba has an embassy in Malabo.
  • Equatorial Guinea has an embassy in Havana.
 France

Equatorial Guinea is member of the Central African Economic and Monetary Union (CEMAC), which includes Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo (Brazzaville), and Gabon. It also is a member of the Franc zone. Parallel to the Equatoguinean rapprochement with its Francophone neighbors, France's role has significantly increased following Equatorial Guinea's entry into the CFA Franc Zone and the BEAC. French technical advisers work in the finance and planning ministries, and agreements have been signed for infrastructure development projects.

  • Equatorial Guinea has an embassy in Paris.
  • France has an embassy in Malabo.
 Gabon
  • Gabon has an embassy in Malabo.
  • Equatorial Guinea has an embassy in Libreville.
 Mexico26 September 1975

Both nations established diplomatic relations on 26 September 1975.[3]

  • Equatorial Guinea does not have an embassy accredited to Mexico.
  • Mexico is accredited to Equatorial Guinea from its embassy in Abuja, Nigeria.[4]
 Nigeria

Equatorial Guinea has warmer relations with Nigeria, and the Nigerian President made an official visit to Malabo in 2001. The two countries have delineated their offshore borders, which will facilitate development of nearby gas fields. In addition, many Nigerians work in Equatorial Guinea, as do immigrants from Cameroon and some West African states.

  • Equatorial Guinea has an embassy in Abuja and consulates in Calabar and Lagos.
  • Nigeria has an embassy in Malabo and a consulate in Bata.
 South Africa
  • Equatorial Guinea has an embassy in Pretoria.
  • South Africa has an embassy in Malabo.
 South Korea14 September 1979

The establishment of diplomatic Relations between the Republic of Korea and Equatorial Guinea begin on 14 September 1979.

 Spain12 October 1968See Equatorial Guinea–Spain relations
  • Equatorial Guinea has an embassy in Madrid and a consulate in Las Palmas.[5]
  • Spain has an embassy in Malabo and a consulate-general in Bata.[6]
 United StatesSee Equatorial Guinea–United States relations
Embassy of Equatorial Guinea in Washington, D.C.

In 1995, the United States closed its embassy, ostensibly for budget reasons, though the ambassador of the time had been accused of witchcraft, and had criticised the human rights situation. In 1996, offshore oil began flowing, and, with several US oil companies present in the country, the US reopened the embassy in October 2003. The US has sought to encourage the progress of human rights to the country by addressing its concerns directly to the government, as well as holding seminars for better police conduct and judicial conferences with US judges to improve the rule of law.[7]

 Venezuela
  • Equatorial Guinea has an embassy in Caracas.
  • Venezuela has an embassy in Malabo.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "2008 Human Rights Report". State.gov. 2009-02-25. Retrieved 2012-02-02.
  2. ↑ http://www.china.org.cn/english/features/focac/183538.htm
  3. ↑ Relaciones Diplomaticas de México con África: Guinea Ecuatorial (in Spanish)
  4. ↑ Embassy of Mexico in Nigeria
  5. ↑ Embassy of Equatorial Guinea in Spain (in French and Spanish)
  6. ↑ Embassy of Spain in Equatorial Guinea (in Spanish)
  7. ↑ Archived October 4, 2010, at the Wayback Machine.
  8. ↑ Embassy of Equatorial Guinea in Washington, DC
  9. ↑ Embassy of the United States in Malabo (in English and Spanish)
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