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Equatorial Guinea - Foreign Relations

A transitional agreement, signed in October 1968, implemented a Spanish pre-independence decision to assist Equatorial Guinea and provided for the temporary maintenance of Spanish forces there. A dispute with President Macias 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 Obiang asked for Spanish assistance, and since then, Spain has regained its place of influence in Equatorial Guinea. The two countries signed permanent agreements for economic and technical cooperation, private concessions, and trade relations. Spain maintained a bilateral assistance program in Equatorial Guinea. Most Equatoguinean opposition elements (including a purported government-in-exile) are based in Spain, to the annoyance of the Equatoguinean Government. Relations between the two countries grew difficult after a March 2004 coup attempt due to Spain's hosting opposition figure Severo Moto and the Equatoguinean Government's belief that Spain had foreknowledge of the coup. However, with high-level visits from both sides in recent years, relations are back to normal.

Equatorial Guinea has had generally cordial relations with its neighbors. The integration of the country to its French sub-regional environment is a constant of the Equatorial Guinean foreign policy. It is manifested by joining various organizations: the franc zone in 1983, the Francophonie in 1989, and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECAC). It is a member of the Central African Economic and Monetary Union (CEMAC), which includes Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, and Gabon, and of the larger Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS, also known by CEEAC, its French acronym). This integration policy is a success, as evidenced by obtaining Malabo by the CEMAC parliament seat. The Cameroon-based Bank of Central African States (BEAC) coordinates monetary policy. At the 10th CEMAC heads of state summit in Bangui in January 2010, Equatoguinean-born Lucas Abaga Nchama was appointed as BEAC governor, following a policy adopted by member states of rotating bank governors in alphabetical order. The Bank of France guarantees the CFA franc, and French technical advisers work in the finance and planning ministries. France, Spain, Cuba, and China have participated in infrastructure and technical development projects. Equatorial Guinea is also a member of the African Union and was elected Chairman of the regional body in January 2011.

However, the refusal to implement the agreement on the free movement of people within the CEMAC zone on 1 January 2014, attests to a reluctance to any deepening of regional integration. Furthermore, the involvement of Malabo in the settlement of regional crises remains modest - in CAR, its contribution to the African force MISCA amounts to only 200 men and its financial contribution was limited to the payment of one month salaries of CAR officials.

Relations with the Nigerian Government became cordial as the two countries delineated their offshore borders to facilitate development of nearby gas fields. Equatorial Guinea had a minor border dispute with Cameroon that was resolved by the International Court of Justice in 2002. The Corisco border dispute with Gabon was resolved by an agreement signed with the help of UN mediation in January 2004, but the small island of Mbane and potentially oil-rich waters surrounding it remain contested, and the case was submitted to the International Court of Justice.

The majority Fang ethnic group of mainland Equatorial Guinea extends both north and south into the forests of Cameroon and Gabon. Cameroon exports many food products to Equatorial Guinea and imports oil from Equatorial Guinea for its refinery at nearby Limbe. The development of the oil industry by U.S.-based companies and the lack of a well-trained work force have provided motivation for an influx of workers (legal and illegal) from Cameroon, Nigeria, and Ghana. Roundups and expulsion of foreigners following the March 2004 coup attempt caused tensions between these neighbors. A brazen daylight attack on two banks in Bata by two boatloads of armed bandits in December 2007 was presumed to originate in the Niger Delta or neighboring Cameroon, temporarily leading to heightened tensions.

The country is using its oil wealth to expand its overseas presence, establishing diplomatic missions in over 30 countries around the world. It has also become more active in the CEMAC, building the CEMAC regional parliament in Malabo and using the leverage of its growing reserves to gain reforms.

Relations between France and Equatorial Guinea, prior to the discovery of hydrocarbon deposits on the territory of Equatorial Guinea, were first developed in the framework of bilateral cooperation and the Franc zone and Francophonie soon the 1980 President Obiang was received in France at the Nice France-Africa summit in 2010 and the G20 summit in Cannes in 2011. Agapito Mba Mokuy, Minister of Foreign Affairs, was received at the Elysee Palace in August 2012.

In 2010, following a complaint filed by the association Transparency International France, a French court has opened an investigation concerning the property acquired in France by three heads of state and their families, including President Obiang and his son elder, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue. In 2012, movable assets (in February) and real estate (in July) of the latter, have been the subject of provisional seizure on request of the investigating judge; In July 2012, the judge issued an arrest warrant against the son of Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, who had not presented its convocation. The indictment was finally notified to the 2nd Vice President during a videoconference organized in March 2014, with the effect the lifting of the international arrest warrant.

This case known as "ill-gotten gains" is not without effect on the bilateral relationship between France and Equatorial Guinea, but the two governments agree that a clear distinction be made between the judicial process and relationships from state to state.

The authorities of Equatorial Guinea have multiplied complaints for defamation before the national court, but also French, against several French newspapers treated the subject in their columns. A peaceful demonstration was held in front of the Embassy of France in Malabo in March 2012. On 25 September, Equatorial Guinea filed an application with the International Court of Justice against France for "violation of international law".