– ‘Africa’s political history is marked by foreign interference… which negatively affects the capacity and conditions of sovereign and independent African countries’
Crisantos Obama Ondo is an Ambassador and Plenipotentiary of Equatorial Guinea to Ethiopia and representative of the Permanent Mission to the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. Lately, The Ethiopian Herald had moments with him. Enjoy reading.
First of all, I would like to thank your Excellency for providing such an opportunity to us.
The pleasure is mine.
How do you see the bilateral relations of Ethiopia and Equatorial Guinea?
Relationships are excellent and increasingly dynamic.
I would like to point out that H.E. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, regularly visits Addis Ababa, not only to work at the multilateral level, with the African Union, but also to meet with Ethiopian President H.E. Sahle-Work Zewde and Prime Minister H.E. Abiy Ahmed Ali. And recently, the Prime Minister has just visited Equatorial Guinea during the month of January 2020.
Can we talk about the commitment of the two countries in making East and Central Africa center of economic and cultural hub?
The President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea is a pan-Africanist and the issues of developing African own capabilities are therefore always on the agenda of his reflection. The framework of cooperation between Equatorial Guinea and Ethiopia has effective prospects in the commitments of both countries for the economic and cultural development not only of their respective countries but also of their sub-regions.
Your government has donated a building for AU, am I correct?
You are definitely correct.
What makes you come up with such an initiative?
The initiative comes from the spirit of solidarity which characterizes the President of Equatorial Guinea, Head of State and Government, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, with Africa. The Committee of Intelligence and Security Services of Africa (CISSA), was born in 2004. And in 2005, the Heads of State and Government of the African Union supported this organ by decision 62 of the Assembly.
As is well known, Africa’s political history is marked by foreign interference in the internal affairs of African States, which negatively affects the capacity and conditions of sovereign and independent African countries to address threats to the peace and stability necessary for its development. Therefore, the donation of this building to the African Union by the President of Equatorial Guinea was intended to strengthen the work of this organ in order to ensure peace and security in Africa.
Cultural exchange among African countries is too weak. Why do you think it that? What should be done to promote it?
I must say that culture is a way of life and that the expressions of a society determine it. Our customs, codes, norms, traditions and various artistic expressions are vital to human beings. We are our culture, it is our essence, but unfortunately the colonial phenomenon has weakened our cultural base.
Culture cannot be done alone; it is not an individual action. It needs socialization, and in the African context, it must be “static”, that is to say promoted by African states and placed at the top of priorities within framework of exchanges of friendships and cooperation.
How do you see the political commitment of your government towards
democratization? And what should be the role of African counties particularly your country in making the upcoming Ethiopian election transparent and democratic?
The political and democratic process in Equatorial Guinea is progressing positively. Peace and security, political and social freedoms and respect for the national legal order in this regard are a priority in this process. H.E. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, President of the Republic, as arbitrator and moderator of the national political process, has institutionalized political dialogue among all national political actors and the diaspora, which means that there is a permanent space for dialogue and consultation. In addition, the capacity of all national institutions for the promotion and respect of human rights has been strengthened.
Ethiopia is a great country, a centre of African diplomacy and one of the countries that plays an important role in African peace, security and prosperity. My country’s role in Ethiopia’s future electoral process will be to support the Government and the brotherly people in the peaceful conduct of the electoral process. This is our greatest wish, and on this point we will work and make our contribution.
What should be the role of your embassy in promoting culturing exchanges between Ethiopia and Equatorial Guinea?
Our Embassy works with many communities in Addis Ababa in the cultural fields. Sometimes we organize dances, exhibitions of typical dishes and lunch together… The Ethio-Cuban community is very well established in Equatorial Guinea and works with us in many areas. The Spanish language is part of our culture and the Ethiopians who were trained in Cuba and other Spanish speaking countries share this reality with us.
Your Excellency, what is your reflection on the 33rd Assembly of the African Union. What makes it different from others?
There are issues that I can describe as significant from this conference. Participation at the level of Heads of State and Government has been important. And it seems that there was little time for all the issues on the agenda of the Heads of State and Government to be properly debated.
The consideration of peace and security issues highlighted the need for concrete action on the problems of the Sahel, demanded the decisive role to be played by the African Union in the Libyan crisis and criticized foreign interference in the war. The decisions of the heads of State and Government were very concrete in the area of peace and security with the adoption of the theme of 2020 on silencing weapons, and the concrete measures to be taken to achieve that ambitious vision, taking into account the challenges of the internal governance of States, the fight against poverty and respect for human rights.
On the sidelines of the 33rd Assembly of the African Union held in Addis Ababa, twelve Heads of State solemnly accepted the invitation of His Excellency Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, President of the Republic of Mali, African Union leader for Arts, Culture and Heritage to act as co-champions. What is your opinion on this?
This event was one of the most important parallel sessions. Art, culture and heritage must be placed on the agendas of African states as a priority. They must be valued and given all the necessary attention.
Before the 33rd session of the Assembly of the African Union took place, we had the opportunity to hold discussions with the office of the President of Mali in charge of this issue. And we expressed the appreciation of the Government of Equatorial Guinea to H.E. Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, President of the Republic of Mali, Leader of the African Union for Arts, Culture and Heritage, for having placed this issue at the heart of the parallel events.
Arms’ trafficking is one of the challenges of the continent. How do you see the agenda “Silencing the gun?”A conflict-free Africa is every African’s dream. On the other hand, arms’ trafficking is indeed one of the challenges of the continent. There is a serious lack of capacity of public institutions to control the inflow of arms in Africa. Figures show that civilians, rebel groups and militias hold more than 40 million small arms and light weapons, while public entities hold less than 11 million, according to a study carried out in 2019 by the SAS (Small Arms Survey) and the African Union.
But the African Union has adopted strategies and action plans to achieve this vision. A main road map on practical steps to silence the guns was adopted in in Lusaka in 2016. A first meeting of African Union Youth and Women for Peace followed by a meeting of Ministers of PSC, A3, RECs and other partners will take place in Malabo from 29 to 31 March 2020 as part of the activities of the 2020 theme. But I believe that the partnership with the UN must be strengthened in order to make this vision of the African Union and Africans a reality. Efforts must also be given to internal peace and socio-economic development.
Apart from foreign interference, I also
believe that the difficulties that lead people to violent conflict include poverty, historical injustices, social inequalities, unemployment, climate change, illegal financial flows and corruption, must also be addressed if guns are to be silenced.
Boarder conflicts, tribal wars and civil wars in DRC, Libya, and other African countries are common. What should be done to bring a lasting solution? What should be the role of African leaders, particularly your government and the Ethiopian government?
Conflict remained one of the greatest challenges facing Africa. The African Union also considers conflicts as one of the greatest obstacles to the implementation of Agenda 2063. So, all these conflicts, tribal wars and civil wars in the DRC, Libya and other African countries are a major concern for the entire African continent and my country, Equatorial Guinea, stands in solidarity with the sufferings of the African people.
African countries must strengthen their cooperation in the fields of security, defense and information. Prevention and early warning mechanisms should be considered. The Government of Equatorial Guinea is prepared to continue to work at both the multilateral and bilateral levels to ensure that peace reigns in Africa, and we commend the Government of Ethiopia for having the promotion of peace as a priority in its bilateral relations and cooperation with the African Union.
If there is anything you want to add, the flour is yours?
I just wanted to thank you for the pertinent questions you asked me about peace, security and development in Africa—which is also our dream, Africa’s dream and the wish of the Government of Equatorial Guinea.
Thank you.
The Ethiopian Herald April 3/2020
BY LEULSEGED WORKU
