Justice ministers from Atlantic African countries shared their experiences in the fight against terrorism, transnational organised crime, maritime piracy and clandestine migration at the first Atlantic African Countries Justice Forum on Monday, which aims to build a secure and stable African Atlantic area.

This first forum seeks to place justice as as a key factor in the construction of a secure, stable African Atlantic area, to promote the culture of human rights, to protect the environment and sustainable development, and to promote an environment conducive to attracting investment and protecting the economy. The Equatoguinean Minister for Justice, Worship and Penitentiary Institutions, Sergio Esono Abeso Tomo, who is taking part in the two-day forum, shared with his counterparts from the African Atlantic region, the country’s extensive experience in the fight against transnational organised crime, highlighting the coup attempts thwarted in the country in 2004 and 2017, respectively.

“The Republic of Equatorial Guinea has a lot of experience to share, as the fight against mercenary activities, terrorism and piracy is one of the key aspects of the Atlantic African Countries Justice Forum. We cannot forget that our country has a vice-president who watches over the security of the State, and thus  you can see that in our country, in 2004 and 2017, we suffered an attempted mercenary invasion that was stopped by the security forces of Equatorial Guinea. Therefore, not only do we have experience at the corps and defence and security level capable of fighting threats and organised crime, but we also have a legislative arsenal that can allow Equatorial Guinea to help with its practical experience on the ground, above all through its legislation and its Ministry for Justice, to develop cooperation within the Atlantic Forum that the Kingdom of Morocco has created,” stated Esono Abeso Tomo, during the opening ceremony.

The Rabat process for Atlantic African countries adopted its first declaration in June 2022, which underlines the political commitment of the Atlantic African States to strengthen ties of cooperation and integration between the countries making up the region, in order to promote peace, security, stability and shared prosperity in the region.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Equatorial Guinea: Official Web Page of the Government.

Three years ago, Miyobo was a village council nestled in one of the most remote areas of Niefang. Within the framework of the social project promoted by the Government, with the creation of just over 50 urban districts to bring the administration closer to the population, it has now become a small urban town.

The President of the Republic, Head of State and of the Government, H. E. Obiang Nguema Mbasogo and H. E. Constancia Mangue de Obiang, put into operation this new urban district, which officially joins those already established throughout the country.

After words of welcome from the Mayoress and words of thanks from a village elder, the Vice-President, Charged with Defence and State Security, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, was awarded the title of Honorary Mayor of the new Urban District of Miyobo. The insignia and nameplate were received by the Minister for the Interior and Local Corporations, Faustino Ndong Esono. A number of gifts were also presented to the presidential couple.

The work in this new urban district cost the Government just over 6.533 million FCFA and consist of a town hall, a school, a police station, a health centre, a market, 20 social housing units, a doctor’s house, a church, and the development of 1.87 km of asphalted roads.

As in other places, the Head of State began his remarks with a greeting of peace, thanks to which Equatorial Guinea is experiencing the unprecedented development that has led to the creation of more than 50 urban districts.

The Head of State called for vigilance in order to thwart any element seeking to disrupt peace and healthy coexistence. He also praised the massive turnout in the latest presidential elections of 20 November 2022, which gave victory to the PDGE.

In another moment in his guidance, he invited those present to apply a a change in mentality regarding the protection and care of minors, and with respect to the fair distribution and care of the new infrastructures.

With a priest’s blessing and the cutting of the ceremonial ribbon, Miyobo was officially declared an urban district.

In Niefang, three village councils have been upgraded to urban districts, namely Ayene, Miyobo and Andon Bekueñ, with the latter due to be inaugurated in the near future.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Equatorial Guinea: Official Web Page of the Government.

Cooperation with the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), air connectivity, collaboration in tourism, sports, amongst others, were discussed during the courtesy call of the Ambassador-designate of the State of Qatar to the Republic of Seychelles, H.E. Mr. Muhammed Mutair Ammash Al-Shmalani Al-Enazi, on the Principal Secretary of the Foreign Affairs Department, Ambassador Vivianne Fock Tave.

During their meeting, on Monday 22nd April 2024 at Maison Quéau de Quinssy, the two diplomats also discussed the signing of the Visa Waiver Agreement for holders of Diplomatic and Official Passports, as well as the Agreement on the Establishment of a Joint Committee on Cooperation.

Principal Secretary Fock Tave expressed her gratitude to the Government of Qatar for its continued support, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, and welcomed the possibility of future collaboration.

Ambassador-designate Al-Enazi will present his Credentials to President Wavel Ramkalawan on Tuesday 23rd April 2024.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism – Foreign Affairs Department, Republic of Seychelles.

Maritime security, tourism, climate change, air connectivity, and regional engagements in the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) were at the top of the agenda for bilateral talks between the High Commissioner-designate of Australia, Ms. Kate Chamley, and the Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Vivianne Fock Tave on Monday 22nd April, 2024 at Maison Quéau de Quinssy.

On the topic of maritime security, the two diplomats agreed on the importance of collaboration in this area given the resurgence of piracy in the region.

The two sides also discussed the possibility of expanding collaboration to increase visitors’ arrivals from Australia, as well as cooperation in capacity building and exchange of expertise in the field of tourism.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism – Foreign Affairs Department, Republic of Seychelles.