HE Mari-Cruz Evuna Andeme, Ambassador of Equatorial Guinea, speaks four languages and eloquently gave an inspiring talk about one of the fastest developing countries in Africa.
Below is the text of her speech:
CONSERVATIVE FOREIGN & COMMONWEALTH COUNCIL
May 12, 2014
Introduction
Before I begin, I would like to thank you all for coming today. It’s a great honour to be among you and I am particularly grateful to my dear friend Chris Buckwell who made is possible and to the kind introductory remarks by Sir Roland Halstead.
I’m here today to introduce my country to you- one of the fastest developing countries in Africa and indeed the world: Equatorial Guinea. I’m sure many of you are unfamiliar with this part of Africa, so I would like to take a few moments to talk about my country, my people and our history, before moving on to describe what is happening in Equatorial Guinea at the moment. I would also like to explain a little about the economic opportunities available in the country, and touch on the reforms my government is undertaking to facilitate growth and enable the people of Equatorial Guinea to participate in the political processes and benefit from the natural resources we have been blessed with. Finally, I hope we can look to the future and consider the role that the UK at large, and you yourselves, could play in what is yet to come.
People in Equatorial Guinea
How many of you have previously met someone from Equatorial Guinea? In a way this isn’t surprising; the population of Equatorial Guinea is just over 1m inhabitants, a similar number to the population of Birmingham! Yet the country comprises 5 ethnic groups: the Fang, the Bubi, the Bujeba, the Pagalu and the Ndowé and unlike other nations in the region, we ALL GET ALONG! The people from my country have come a long way to where they stand today. Under colonial rule, education was practically prohibited, so when we attained our Independence in 1968, the country had only 6 university graduates to run the nation. In 2014, most civil servants and professionals are bilingual or even trilingual. I am enormously proud to be Equatoguinean, it gives me special angle within the African context. Our Hispanic heritage serves as an extraordinary example of cultural hybrid, featured by the inclusion of Spanish words in our local dialects. This singularity also pushed us to learn much more and much faster in order to catch up with the times.
History and geography of Equatorial Guinea
The Republic of Equatorial Guinea is located in Central Africa and it has two parts: a Continental Region (Río Muni), and an insular region containing 4 islands, of which Bioko holds the capital Malabo. On the continent, we boarder with Cameroon to the North, and Gabon to the East and South.
In the 18th century, the Portuguese ceded land to the Spanish that included Equatorial Guinea. From 1827 to 1844, the British Empire rented Bioko Island from the Spaniards and they used it to accommodate the first freed slaves, before assigning Liberia for that purpose. Río Muni, the mainland, was not occupied by the Spanish until 1926.
After independence, my country suffered a very difficult period. Unlike most newly independent countries, adjusting to the post-colonial era presented a serious number of challenges. I have already mentioned our low level of education and lack of administrative and financial skills, which proved to be extremely detrimental to our development. We therefore, had to heavily invest on human development, by opening schools, training centres and in 1998, the first university was opened. Last year over 500 students qualified as doctors through our School of Medicine in Bata. We enjoy a literacy rate of 87%, the second highest in sub-Saharan Africa. School is compulsory and free for all boys and girls from ages 5 to 14.
So, where we are now?
The discovery of considerable oil reserves in the mid-1990s has made a huge difference to Equatorial Guinea - both in terms of the progress in the last two decades, and also our future outlook.
Equatorial Guinea is now the third-largest oil producer in Sub-Saharan Africa, and produces an average of 360,000 barrels of oil per day. We have unexploited deposits of titanium, iron ore, manganese, uranium and gold. WE have attracted many foreign companies wishing to invest in our growing economy, mainly in the oil industry. A success story is the ongoing project to build the first ever floating platform of LNG in Equatorial Guinea, by the British company Ophir.
But the oil boom has also attracted many woes and foes, groups of people who do not understand that stability guarantees any and every political social and economic transformation. At this point, we are seeking to diversify our economy by looking into sectors such as agriculture, tourism, banking and telecommunications, with the principal objective of generating sustainable employment and improving social welfare.
The high cash inflows from oil have brought about deep structural changes in my country in the past twenty years, especially in construction and infrastructure. In 2012, we were able to complete 85% of our road programme across the nation, according to our development agenda, adopted in 2007 and around 80.000 social housing are today available to the young working class. So the atmosphere is one of optimism, excitement and especially of hope, as we are active participants of this unprecedented phenomenon happening in the country. These feelings excitement were robbed from us during the first Administration just after Independence. For 11 years we lived under an oppressive regime that made sure dreams and aspirations were annihilated.
I was asked just last week by Transparency International whether a young girl, after graduation, was free and able to set up a business or embark on a private venture. Ladies and gentlemen, I was once a young girl that had graduated from University and today I live my dream of service to my country and in my capacity, I receive a salary equal to my colleagues of the opposite sex. Yes, in Equatorial Guinea women and men DO get equal pay. Gender equality is at the top of our human and political agenda: the President of our Senate is a woman, so is the Minister of Justice, so are the 2013 African football champions and Ambassadors across four main European countries: the UK, Italy, Spain and France are women. We still have a great way to go and I feel extremely proud to be part of this generational transformation that allows women to partake in important decision making fora.
In addition to construction, significant improvements have also taken place in crucial sectors such as health and education. For example, as a result of social investments and initiatives, the prevalence of malaria in children has decreased by 57% since 2007. Equatorial Guinea has been leading the fight against malaria in Africa. In 2011, a report by Roll Back Malaria, highlighted progress against the disease. We have also increased the number of children protected by bed nets or indoor spraying of insecticides from 4% to 95% in that same period. Equatorial Guinea’s Ministry of Health and Social Welfarepresented in 2013 a design for a malaria vaccine trial as part of the government’s efforts to improve the country’s public health. We will be the second country in Africa, after Tanzania, to sponsor a malaria vaccine clinical trial. We have partnered with Sanaria, a U.S. biotechnology company that produces a vaccine, already proven highly protective in humans.
My government has been quick to react to a recent outbreak of Polio in the region and is working with the WHO and UNICEF to combat the spread of the disease. Regarding HIV/AIDS, Equatorial Guinea promulgated a law that gives free access to treatment and antiviral medications to all affected patients, national or foreign, since 2003.
Political progress and other reforms
Politically, Equatorial Guinea is run by a coalition of 13 political parties under a Presidential system and those involved in policy making are eager for the country to reach its potential. In particular, over recent years, a new generation of highly educated civil servants are making a significant contribution to the country’s development.
In parliament, an upper chamber, the Senate, was established in 2013, following constitutional reforms approved by referendum in 2011. The new Constitution also allows for a number of new supervisory bodies, including:
· The Court of Auditors which regulates policy and fiscal systems in order to control public management and combat corruption
- · The State Council, an independent advisory body of a political nature, in charge of advising the President on management during his tenure.
- · The Ombudsman which defends the rights of citizens
- · And, finally, the Council on Social and Economic Affairs, in charge of reviewing social and economic programs.
In 2004, the government passed a law concerning the ethics of civil servants, which provides for the establishment of a National Commission of Ethics and Dignity for cabinet ministers and civil servants.
Another key area my government is working to improve is transparency, particularly on financial matters. Since 1986, my government’s budget has been available to all citizens. These budget documents outline the total income, investment, and revenue expenditure of each major department. The Government recognises that it has more work to do to improve its information and audit systems and is working to promote a wider understanding of its finances.
Equatorial Guinea is heightening political transparency through engaging in international dialogue and increasing the number of diplomatic representatives posted around the globe. I am very grateful for invitations to speak at events such as this, we recognise the importance of increasing awareness and opening dialogue with senior political figures in the UK.
Looking to the future
Looking to the future, as economic growth in the country continues, my government is actively seeking foreign investment and expertise. You will agree with me that without economic freedom, there shall be no political freedom, as they go hand in hand. Earlier this year, Equatorial Guinea hosted an economic diversification conference. Over three hundred companies attended the event, with representatives from businesses in the US, China, Brazil, South Africa, Canada, the Netherlands and Spain among others.
As the conference highlighted, we are now ready for the type of development which much of the continent is lacking: international trade that would bring expertise and build the capacity of our professionals to attain a more sustainable economy. During the conference, the Government pledged a yearly 1 B$ for 5 years, available to future joint ventures.
In June I will organise for a group of British tour operators to visit Equatorial Guinea. With vast, pristine land and seascapes, home to gorillas and nesting sea turtles, we have the potential to become one of the leading eco-tourism destinations in Africa. Luxury resorts such as the Hotel Sofitel Sipopo in Malabo have been built and similar projects are ongoing in Mongomo, Annobon and the Corisco Island.
Like the UK government, Equatorial Guinea is renewing its drive to become part of the EITI. Equatorial Guinea was accepted as a candidate in 2007, but it was suspended in 2010 because it was not able to comply with all the auditing requirements before the deadline given. These requirements have now been met and the Government is currently working towards a new application.
Equatorial Guinea is a signatory to over 122 Treaties worldwide covering a multitude of subjects including climate change, human rights, biological weapons, maritime safety, the women’s rights and corruption. When I was posted to Brussels I was involved in negotiating the Cotonou Agreement with the EU and ACP countries, focusing on the eradication of poverty and the promotion of criminal justice
One of my main priorities in London is to strengthen relations between Equatorial Guinea and Britain. The UK is a key potential partner for my country and my plan is to ensure that officials, Members of Parliament and the media have an accurate understanding of my country’s development.
And finally… what should be the UK’s role in the socio-political development of my country?
I want to tell you here, today, that Equatorial Guinea is changing and further transformation will soon take place. Although we are not a Commonwealth member, my understanding is that the UK Government is seeking to position itself at the core of development in third countries, particularly in Africa. Democracy, human rights and governance are the key elements of this policy, yet the UK understands that each nation must mature at its own pace. Equatorial Guinea is growing and changing, of this I am sure and would appeal to you to take a closer look into this progress, work with us on issues that clearly need assistance. As President Obiang clearly stated: ‘Change is underway in the developing world. There is nothing stopping us. Not only are we changing, in the physical sense, but we are also changing people’s minds. The perception of Africa is changing and we are making sure that Equatorial Guinea is leading the way’.
The United Kingdom would only regret not having been participants in contributing to the development of such a vibrant nation, a nation that shares them same values as yourselves and is closer to touching its silver lining.
Thank God and God bless you.