S.Africa, Eq. Guinea eye tighter ties on Zuma trip

Reuters    Translate This Article
5 November 2009

MALABO (Reuters) - South African President Jacob Zuma sought to strengthen economic and diplomatic ties with oil heavyweight Equatorial Guinea during a visit on Wednesday, his office said in a statement.

Zuma's visit coincided with Equatoguinean President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo's release of four South African mercenaries jailed for a foiled 2004 coup led by former British special forces officer Simon Mann, who was also pardoned.

'We are prepared to do what we must to ensure that our nations work hand in hand in promoting development, peace and prosperity for our people,' Zuma said in the statement.

Equatorial Guinea said earlier in the day Zuma was to visit the island capital Malabo to 'inspect the energy project, hold face-to-face meetings with the government and sign bilateral agreements between the two countries.'

No details were given on the deals Zuma was meant to sign with Equatorial Guinea, nor what project he was meant to review.

Equatorial Guinea, sub-Saharan Africa's No. 3 oil producer, is in the midst of preparing a 'master plan' with partners aimed at making the Central African nation a regional natural gas exporting hub.

Zuma's office said his ministers for energy, state security and international relations accompanied him.

'South Africa is keen to promote economic relations in the areas of agriculture, mining, energy, tourism and infrastructure development, in addition to collaboration in the furtherance of the African political agenda including the strengthening of democracy in the continent,' the South African presidency said.

Pretoria has denied intervening in the release of the South African nationals.

'The government of Equatorial Guinea has indicated that this was a gesture of goodwill related to the visit,' the presidency said in the statement.

Obiang seized power in a 1979 coup, overthrowing post-independence leader President Francisco Macias Nguema, whose rule led to widespread abuses, killings and ostracism of the former Spanish colony.

Under the last decade of Obiang's rule, the tiny nation has boosted energy output. Initial investors from the United States have been followed by European firms.

Flush with petro-dollars, the government in Malabo has brought in thousands of Chinese, Egyptian and Moroccan workers to revamp the nation's infrastructure and prepare the country to host forthcoming African summits and football tournaments.

But the country's rights record is still widely criticised and opposition politicians complain that they have not been given enough time to prepare for a Nov. 29 election at which Obiang is expected to seek and win a new term in office.

Obiang won a 2002 poll with 97.1 percent of the vote after rivals pulled out complaining of a crackdown on opposition.

(Writing by David Lewis and Richard Valdmanis)

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