Calls for Africa – South America Summit to press host Equatorial Guinea on human rights
Heads of state and their representatives from Latin American and African nations took part in a cross-regional meeting of the Africa-South America Summit last week in Equatorial Guinea. NGOs called on the attendees to press on their host President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasago to undertake significant human rights and democratic reforms ahead of general elections coming up in May 2013.
“Foreign dignitaries should challenge President Obiang on his dismal human rights record and democratic credentials”, said Tutu Alicante, executive director of EG Justice, an NGO that promotes human rights and good governance in Equatorial Guinea. “With legislative elections coming up, major reforms are needed to ensure the right to a free and fair vote”, he added.
The world’s longest-ruling head of state, President Obiang, claimed over 95 per cent of the vote in the five presidential elections since he took power in 1979, with his party and allies controlling 99 of the country’s 100 seats in parliament. Under the recent constitutional revision, the country will establish a bicameral parliament by adding a 75-member Senate with Obiang directly appointing 15 members. The elections of the rest and other municipal posts are scheduled for May 26.
The summit concluded with an agreement to establish a secretariat. The leaders also backed the candidature of Rachad Farah to the position of Director General of UNESCO. Farah is currently Djibouti’s Ambassador to France.
Equitorial Guinea announced its decision to contribute US$ 30 million to the newly established Africa Solidarity Trust Fund. The Trust Fund, which will be administered by the FAO, has been established to strengthen food security in Africa.
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