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Equatorial Guinea leader departs after a surprise visit
10 Jan 2012 at 15:53hrs | Views
Equatorial Guinea President, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo has left Harare for his country after a two day official visit.
Africa'S longest-ruling leader, Equatorial Guinea's Teodoro Obiang Nguema, made an unannounced visit Monday to Zimbabwe, which had helped foil a coup bid against him, and pledged to boost ties.
President Nguema was seen off at the Harare International Airport by Acting President, John Nkomo and senior government officials.
During his visit, President Nguema met President Robert Mugabe at State House in Harare.
The two leaders discussed various issues that centred on bilateral issues, continental and global affairs.
"We are looking forward to establish cooperation links that will enable us strengthen this relationship more in terms of implementing projects, and other issues," Nguema told reporters after a six-hour meeting with President Robert Mugabe.
They also discussed development issues, said Obiang, who is the current head of the African Union.
Nguema said bilateral ties were strengthened after Zimbabwean police in 2004 arrested British mercenary Simon Mann and 69 others who were on their way to join a coup attempt against him in the oil-rich west African country.
"That brought us closer and makes our bond much stronger," said Nguema, in remarks translated by an interpreter. Mugabe did not speak to the press.
Obiang's visit was kept under wraps until the last minute, and independent media were not informed of the trip.
The two countries have strong bilateral relations following the interception of mercenaries at Harare International Airport who were on a mission to stage a coup in Equatorial Guinea.
After the meeting, President Nguema said as the current chair of the African Union he had a lot to discuss with Mugabe on the forthcoming African Union summit to be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, at the end of this month.
Nguema, who is also the current chairman of the African Union, dismissed suggestions the AU would discuss the political situation in Zimbabwe at its next summit.
"It is my duty, as the AU chairman to meet continental leaders to discuss ways to carry Africa forward," he said.
"The agenda for the AU summit has been set as per the provisions of the Africa Union Commission and it would focus on how African leaders would strengthen co-operation between their countries," he said.
Africa'S longest-ruling leader, Equatorial Guinea's Teodoro Obiang Nguema, made an unannounced visit Monday to Zimbabwe, which had helped foil a coup bid against him, and pledged to boost ties.
President Nguema was seen off at the Harare International Airport by Acting President, John Nkomo and senior government officials.
During his visit, President Nguema met President Robert Mugabe at State House in Harare.
The two leaders discussed various issues that centred on bilateral issues, continental and global affairs.
"We are looking forward to establish cooperation links that will enable us strengthen this relationship more in terms of implementing projects, and other issues," Nguema told reporters after a six-hour meeting with President Robert Mugabe.
They also discussed development issues, said Obiang, who is the current head of the African Union.
Nguema said bilateral ties were strengthened after Zimbabwean police in 2004 arrested British mercenary Simon Mann and 69 others who were on their way to join a coup attempt against him in the oil-rich west African country.
"That brought us closer and makes our bond much stronger," said Nguema, in remarks translated by an interpreter. Mugabe did not speak to the press.
Obiang's visit was kept under wraps until the last minute, and independent media were not informed of the trip.
The two countries have strong bilateral relations following the interception of mercenaries at Harare International Airport who were on a mission to stage a coup in Equatorial Guinea.
After the meeting, President Nguema said as the current chair of the African Union he had a lot to discuss with Mugabe on the forthcoming African Union summit to be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, at the end of this month.
Nguema, who is also the current chairman of the African Union, dismissed suggestions the AU would discuss the political situation in Zimbabwe at its next summit.
"It is my duty, as the AU chairman to meet continental leaders to discuss ways to carry Africa forward," he said.
"The agenda for the AU summit has been set as per the provisions of the Africa Union Commission and it would focus on how African leaders would strengthen co-operation between their countries," he said.
Source - Byo24News
