Malabo, Equatorial Guinea – Equatorial Guinea has hosted the first day of the 9th Biennial Leon H. Sullivan Foundation Summit, which is being held in Malabo’s Sipopo Conference Center from August 20-24, 2012.

This year’s Sullivan Summit is focused on the continent’s development objectives under the theme of “Africa Rising,” and will address critical human rights issues as they relate to food security, human security, freedom of the press, education, civil-society development, gender empowerment, innovation and youth development, and building economies of opportunity.

“The African Diaspora is almost like another continent, and it can contribute to the development of the African economy,” said President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. “The developed countries need resources and Africa needs development.”

President Obiang continued to say, “It’s true we have problems but it also needs to be recognized that we have reached significant progress in the areas of education, healthcare, technologies, infrastructure and others. Equatorial Guinea offers great business opportunities, good climate, and natural resources.”

Through financial investments and the transfer of knowledge, the African Diaspora is having a significant impact on African development.

Today’s Sullivan Summit Plenary Session has focused primarily on reuniting the African Diaspora in order to form key partnerships that will shape African growth.

Equatorial Guinea has been increasingly active in African affairs in recent years. It has used its oil resources to provide emergency humanitarian assistance to its African neighbors, and it has conducted a robust regional foreign policy featuring bilateral summits, citizen exchanges, technical assistance and investment promotion. It has also hosted a number of regional conferences in its new facilities in Sipopo.

At the 2011 Sullivan Honors Awards, President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who received the Beacon for Africa award, discussed human rights programs in the context of African integration and development, stating, “The positive effects of these programs have resulted in an increased school ratio, life expectancy, malaria reductions, as well as the progressive increase of technical and professional staff.”

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The detention of Dr. Wenceslao Mansogo for medical malpractice has been carried out according to proper legal procedures, the government of Equatorial Guinea said.

In a statement, the government said Doctor Mansogo was arrested following a complaint by the family of a woman who died during surgery. The family objected to the condition of the woman’s body and questioned the care she had received.

According to the government statement, an autopsy revealed that the cause of the patient’s death was different from that given by Dr. Mansogo to the family.

Human rights organizations have issued statements of concern for Mr. Mansogo, who is a leader of the Convergence for Social Democracy (CPDS), an opposition political party, and a human-rights advocate. Human Rights Watch cited “sources close to him” reporting that “he has not been ill-treated and has had access to his family and his lawyers.”

Dr. Mansogo was arrested on February 9 and brought before a judge the following day. According to the judge, Dr. Mansogo was being investigated for crimes involving professional negligence and desecration of a corpse. Dr. Mansogo is currently in the Bata central prison.

In its statement, the Government of Equatorial Guinea noting that Dr. Mansogo practiced freely as a doctor for years without interruption. His detention was not because of political affiliation or work as a human rights activist, it said. It was “caused by a particular complaint from a family,” and was being judged by an independent judiciary.

The statement noted that Dr. Mansogo’s defense lawyers had requested his immediate release. After the judge rejected the request, they appealed to the Superior Court of Bata, which upheld Dr. Mansogo’s preventive detention and returned the case to the lower court.

The Republic of Equatorial Guinea (Republica de Guinea Ecuatorial) is the only Spanish-speaking country in Africa, and one of the smallest nations on the continent. In the late-1990s, American companies helped discover the country’s oil and natural gas resources, which only within the last five years began contributing to the global energy supply.

Equatorial Guinea is now working to serve as a pillar of stability and security in its region of West Central Africa. The country hosted the 2011 Summit of the African Union.

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The government of Equatorial Guinea has protested to the French government a raid by French police on an apartment in Paris that is owned by the government of Equatorial Guinea and used for diplomatic purposes.

On February 13, police raided an apartment on Avenue Foch in Paris that they believed belonged to Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, the country’s Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, who is also the son of the president of Equatorial Guinea. The investigating judges say they want to determine if the apartment had been acquired illegally through the improper use of public funds.

However, the government of Equatorial Guinea said in an official statement issued February 16, “The residence assaulted by the French police authorities in Paris belongs to the State of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, evidence of which is available at the Embassy of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea in Paris, and is known by the Relevant Authorities of the French Government regarding the subject of Property Acquisition.”

The government of Equatorial Guinea termed the French police action “a flagrant violation of the international treaties that regulate the diplomatic relations and the bilateral agreements of reciprocal protection of investments signed between the Government of Equatorial Guinea and the Government of the Republic of France.”

French media reported that Equatoguinean diplomats were present at the apartment when police arrived and protested the police violation of diplomatic property.

Minister Nguema’s French attorney, Mr. Emmanuel Marsigny, said in a statement, “These premises are the property of the State of Equatorial Guinea and are used in regard to its diplomatic mission in France.” A second attorney, Mr. Olivier Pardo, told the French press that the apartment was occupied by Equatorial Guinea’s UNESCO representative.

Mr. Marsigny said that Minister Nguema “firmly contests the unfounded accusations of the embezzlement of public funds of which he is the target, and which have been relayed uncritically by the media.”

He also said that Minister Nguema would “undertake the necessary legal actions to condemn these defamatory accusations and receive the rightful presumption of innocence to which everyone is entitled.”

The official statement of the government of Equatorial Guinea follows:

“The Government of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea expresses its complete indignation and protest against the illegitimate persecution by the French authorities on a residence owned by the Equatorial Guinean State in Paris, in flagrant violation of the international treaties that regulate the diplomatic relations and the bilateral agreements of reciprocal protection of investments signed between the Government of Equatorial Guinea and the Government of the Republic of France.

“The residence assaulted by the French police authorities in Paris belongs to the State of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, evidence of which is available at the Embassy of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea in Paris, and is known by the Relevant Authorities of the French Government regarding the subject of Property Acquisition.

“The Government of Equatorial Guinea hopes that the high and decision-making authorities of the French Republic take measures that are imposed pursuant to the International Rights and reserves the right to correspond in reciprocity, should the violation be culminated on the interests of the State of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea.

“The Government of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea expresses, however, its faith in the spirit of the excellent relations of friendship and cooperation that historically have existed between the Republic of Equatorial Guinea and the French Republic, as well as the political, economic and sociocultural interests that sustain these relations, and maintains the hope that, through respect of International Law, the treaties signed between the two countries and these interests, the Government of the French Republic will give a satisfactory response to this intolerable situation.”

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The American Graduate School in Paris (www.ags.edu) announces the publication of ‘The Scramble for African Oil: Oppression, Corruption and War for Control of Africa’s Natural Resources’ by one of its professors, Douglas Yates. The book was released by London’s Pluto Press on January 17th, 2012.

The Scramble for African Oil demonstrates how the international demand for oil contributes to the chronic political, economic and security problems plaguing Africa. Douglas Yates approaches this topic in ten separate discussions, such as domination by multinational corporations, anti-corruption initiatives by the international community, censorship of journalists and intellectuals, and oppression by praetorian regimes and terror.

The book features country case studies including Congo, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, Angola,Chad, Sao Tome, Equatorial Guinea, and Sudan. Professor Michael Watts of UC Berkeley says: “Yates brilliantly scales the walls of the oil fortress in Africa and shines a light into the complex politics – local, national and global – of the oil and gas industry and offers some insight into possible routes out of the swamp of failed oil development.”

Douglas Yates is professor of African studies at the American Graduate School in Paris. For the past twenty years he has been working on the politics of the international oil industry and related issues, primarily the question of oil dependency in Africa. He has been a consultant for governmental and non-governmental organizations; the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Defense, the Catholic Relief Services, and the British Chatham House, among others. His publications include five books and several edited chapters.

The American Graduate School in Paris (AGS) is a nonprofit institution of higher education offering US programs in France to students from around the world. AGS specializes in international relations and diplomacy as well as international business. Programs are taught in English and include Master’s, Ph.D., certificates, and undergraduate or graduate study abroad.

The AGS research center recently publishedCrimes Against Women (Nova Publishers, New York: 2010), a collective work edited by David Wingeate Pike under the direction of Eileen Servidio, with a foreword by Bangladeshi author and human rights advocate Taslima Nasrin. The next project of AGS’s research center is related to African politics and will be announced shortly.

For more information:
www.ags.edu/international-relations/douglas-yates-the-scramble-for-african-oil
The Scramble for African Oil on the publisher’s website

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As the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea prepares to kick off, some of football’s biggest stars have been practicing more than just their moves on the football pitch; they’ve also been practicing delivering messages about malaria control.

Andrew (Dede) Ayew, midfielder from Ghana, Gervinho, forward from Cote d’Ivoire, and Moussa Sow, forward from Senegal, were just a few of the tournament stars who delivered malaria prevention and treatment messages in new United Against Malaria (UAM) public service announcements (PSAs) that will air throughout Africa during the tournament.

Other UAM champions who lent their voice to the new PSAs include Jordan Ayew, striker from Ghana, Charles Kabore, midfielder from Burkina Faso, and Asamoah Gyan, striker from Ghana. The PSAs focus on the importance of malaria prevention and treatment for children in Africa, “because all children deserve a chance at greatness, just like their heroes on the football pitch.” Although preventable and treatable, a child in Africa dies every 45 seconds from malaria.

“Malaria still kills many children in Africa, and it’s important that we educate fans on how to protect themselves and their families,” said Ghana Football Association President and CAF Executive Committee member Kwesi Nyantakyi, whose national team starred in a UAM PSA ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. “Until we have no children dying from malaria in Africa, we need to spread the word about ways to prevent and treat this disease.”

The new PSAs will be shown at half-time during matches aired in Ghana, Senegal and many other African countries through local and cable television stations.

“We are so grateful to the players and their national associations for their commitment to the fight against malaria,” said David Kyne, United Against Malaria Campaign Manager. “Their support offers us an unparalleled opportunity to reach millions of viewers watching the tournament to deliver messages about the prevention and treatment of malaria.”

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The dedication of a new Catholic cathedral in the city of Mongomo, Equatorial Guinea, on December 7, served as a symbol of the nation’s economic development and the vigorous religious life of a country where the church was once violently suppressed.

President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo dedicated the new Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Equatorial Guinea’s easternmost city.  In his remarks, he reminded his countrymen of his government’s efforts to restore religious freedom as one of its first acts upon assuming power.

The previous regime had forced the “closure of churches and persecution of Christians, many of whom were forced into exile,” President Obiang said. “With our arrival, we proceeded to reopen all the churches closed by the former regime. We proceeded to release [political] prisoners, and ecclesiastical activity regained its vigor and normality.”

The event was held on the eve of the feast of the Immaculate Conception in the capital of Wele Nsas province, President Obiang’s birthplace. More than 1,000 guests attended the religious ceremony, including President Francois Bozize of the Central African Republic, papal envoy Francis Cardinal Arinze, and Antoinette Nguesso, wife of the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The attractive new basilica, done in a variation of neoclassical style, is named for the Blessed Virgin Mary, the patron saint of Equatorial Guinea. It can hold up to 8,000 people and took nearly six years to construct. President Obiang presented the plan for the basilica to Pope Benedict XVI during a state visit to the Holy See in 2005 and laid the cornerstone on December 9, 2006.

President Obiang expressed the hope that Pope Benedict would visit the country and recalled the critical role Pope John Paul II played in promoting national healing and renewal during his eight-hour visit to Equatorial Guinea in 1982.

“The Pope arrived at the airport in Malabo, kissed the earth, and blessed our country with his hands raised,” President Obiang said. “The people turned out in such a way that he left with the idea that our country was where he was received with the greatest fervor.” The population of Equatorial Guinea is overwhelmingly Roman Catholic.

After the inaugural Mass, which was attended by five cardinals, 45 bishops, and some 300 priests from the central African sub-region, President Obiang and the Cardinal Arinze cut the ribbon, signifying the official opening of the basilica.

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In a speech at the Sullivan Honors Awards, President Obiang discussed the promotion of African integration by leading Equatorial Guinea toward a better future by facing its challenges and achieving the country’s desired self-improvement and progress. President Obiang has led the efforts of the African community while promoting the continent and carrying out the development of Equatorial Guinea.

“Equatorial Guinea, as a unified country, knows that in order to achieve self-improvement and progress, we have to face problems and challenges, with the support of friendly countries and the international community,” said President Obiang.

President Obiang received the Beacon for Africa award at the 2011 Sullivan Honors event on December 15, in recognition of his leadership of the African Union and his exemplary contributions to improving the lives of Africa’s most vulnerable citizens. The Sullivan Honors event is one of Washington’s greatest cultural highlights of the year.

Hope Masters, president of the Administrative Council of the Leon H. Sullivan Foundation, praised President Obiang for his exemplary leadership and contributions to rebuilding Equatorial Guinea.

“This was a great opportunity to discuss continued development in the region and ways to collectively expand our role as part of  the international community,” said President Obiang. “I believe Africa has a positive future ahead of us as long as we continue to work together.”

President Obiang joined leaders from around the world to honor African individuals who are leading and serving the international community. The honorees have selflessly dedicated themselves to humanitarian efforts on the African continent. Together they showed their appreciation for the honorees at the Leon H. Sullivan Honors event at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel.

“A commitment to ensuring that the dignity of the people they serve has been maintained is critical in determining who will be named a Sullivan Honoree. The ability to ignite that spark of hope, to provide to those less fortunate, while improving their quality of life, has been a common characteristic embodied by each of our honorees. I commend our past honorees and am confident that our new honorees will uphold their passion for championing Africans,” said Ambassador Andrew Young, former US Ambassador to the United Nations.

The Sullivan Honors has been conferred upon individuals who have demonstrated unique leadership in enhancing the lives of the underprivileged, the vulnerable, and the destitute in Africa. Previous Sullivan Honorees include former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, General Colin Powell, current President Jacob Zuma of South Africa, current President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, current President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, and current Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. A full list of previous Sullivan Honorees can be found on the Sullivan Foundation’s website, www.thesullivanfoundation.org.

Equatorial Guinea’s government has adopted special programs for the promotion and protection of human rights with the help of the International Red Cross, which has verified the performance of state institutions by selecting and implementing programs that improve the level of social indicators.

“The positive effects of these programs have resulted in an increased school ratio, life expectancy, malaria reductions, as well as the progressive increase of technical and professional staff,” said President Obiang. “Our country recently went through a constitutional change that strengthened the powers of the state institutions, promoted the alteration in power and regulated the strict separation of powers, as well as transparency and equity in public affairs.”

This reform was approved and voted by the majority of the population.

In addition to President Obiang, numerous heads of state from Africa attended this year’s 2011 Sullivan Honors event, showing unity and cooperation among one another. They included President John A. Kufuor, former President of Ghana; President Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of Nigeria; Prime Minister Guillaume Soro of Cote D’Ivoire; and President Salva Kiir Mayardit of South Sudan.

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