Kigali, 15 July 2014
Presidents Kagame and Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equitorial Guinea have called for increased African cooperation with the aim of finding solutions to African problems through the South-South cooperation. While jointly addressing the press at the end of President Nguema’s two-day visit in Rwanda, the two Presidents underscored the need for African nations to focus on matters that will improve the lives of their people.
President Kagame said the discussions with President Teodoro Obiang Nguema were fruitful and that practical steps would be taken to achieve even more between the two nations.
Responding to a question about how Rwanda has managed to transform in such a short time, President Kagame said that after the Genocide, the Rwanda leadership had to change the politics and management so that the people could have a dignified life:
“We put the well being of Rwandans ahead and made sure there is accountability and raising everyone’s stake in our development.We need to make progress on the development that matters to our people.”
President Nguema observed that the South-South Cooperation could be more efficient if African nations went through practical steps than indulging in bureaucracies in order to consolidate synergies for African development.
Emphasising the need for African nations to defend the integrity of the continent, President Obiang Nguema said:
“We should not allow to be imposed by people who feel they know our continent better than we do. Africa has achieved a lot but we still have barriers that hinder Africa from emerging. We have to awaken from the manipulation to distablise our countries because we lack an African voice to defend the integrity of our continent.”
In the spirit of African people finding solutions to the continent’s problems, President Nguema wondered why the AU could not establish an African court to solve African problems.
“The irrational criticism we face should not stop us from what we plan to achieve. Africa has achieved a lot but we still have barriers that hinder Africa from emerging I am very impressed with the work my brother is doing to reconcile Rwandans.”
During the bilateral meeting that preceded the address to the press, the two Heads of State and their delegations exchanged views on bilateral, regional and international issues and welcomed excellent relations of friendship and brotherhood between the two Governments.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Equatorial Guinea, Agapito Mba Mokuy and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Rwanda, Louise Mushikiwabo read the final Communiqué and signed a General Cooperation Agreement between the two countries that will focus on Governance, air transport, trade exchanges and investment promotion; tourism and Immigration, agro-industry, information and Communication Technology (ICT); Health, defense and security, Energy and housing Policy.
During the bilateral meeting, the two Heads of State expressed their concern on the security and humanitarian situation in the Central African Republic and pledged to intensify their joint efforts towards a lasting solution.