EQUATORIAL GUINEA. Republic of Equatorial Guinea
The Republic of Equatorial Guinea (REG) is located on the coastal area of Central Africa, including the mainland part - Río Muni (26,000 km²) and several islands in the Gulf of Guinea (Bioko, Annobón, and others). It borders Cameroon to the north and Gabon to the south and southeast. The total territory is 28,050 km². The capital is Malabo (approximately 100,000), located on Bioko Island (formerly Fernando Po). The administrative division consists of 7 provinces, which are divided into districts (18), municipal districts (27), and village communes (122). The population is about 600,000 (2004, according to UN estimates). According to the 2002 census, it was 1.015 million. Almost 90% of the residents of the mainland belong to the Bantu-Congo language subgroup (Fang), while the indigenous population of the islands is Bubi. The population of REG is related to the coastal population of neighboring Cameroon. Up to 65% of the population lives in rural areas. The official language is Spanish. Religion: over 80% of the population profess Christianity (the majority are Catholics), 15% adhere to traditional beliefs and cults. The currency is the franc of the African Financial Community.
It has diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation (established with the USSR on December 7, 1968).
The national holiday is October 12 - Independence Day (1968).
The Republic of Equatorial Guinea is a presidential republic. The constitution of 1991, with amendments adopted in 1995, is in effect. The head of state is the president, who is also the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. He is elected by universal direct voting for a term of 7 years. Since 1982, the president of REG has been Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. In the last elections (December 2002), he was re-elected, receiving 97.1% of the votes. The president appoints the prime minister and, upon his proposal, ministers and secretaries of state, and can dismiss them from their positions. The current cabinet was formed on June 15, 2003, consisting of 50 members. The prime minister is Miguel Abia Biteo Borico, and the minister of foreign affairs, international cooperation, and Francophonie is Pastor Micha Ondo Bile.
The highest legislative body is the unicameral parliament - the Chamber of People's Representatives (100 deputies), elected by universal direct voting for a term of 5 years. Presidential decrees and government resolutions take precedence over legislative acts of parliament. The chairman of the parliament is Solomon Nguema Ovon (since 1999).
The activities of political parties and organizations are regulated by laws on political parties, freedom of assembly, and demonstrations adopted in January 1992. The ruling position is held by the Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea (DPEG). In the 2004 elections, the ruling coalition led by DPEG received 98 seats in parliament. The opposition Union for Social Democracy (OSD) received 2 deputy mandates. In the municipal elections held in May 2004, DPEG officially obtained 237 seats of municipal councilors out of 244.
In 1472, a Portuguese expedition landed on the island part of the country, which was transferred to Spain in 1777-78. In 1900, it secured a small territory on the continent - Río Muni, which, together with the islands, formed the colony
of Spanish Guinea. In 1959, under the influence of the national liberation movement in Africa, the Spanish government formally abolished the colonial status of Spanish Guinea and began to consider it an "overseas province" of Spain, and in 1964 introduced local self-government. Spain was then forced to organize a national referendum, which adopted the first constitution. Based on it, presidential elections were held in September-October 1968, and on December 12, 1968, the independence of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea was proclaimed.
Since 1968, it has been a member of the UN and OAU (since 2002 - AU).
Under the first president (Masie Nguema Biyogo), a coalition government was formed, elections to the Assembly of the Republic and local authorities were held. In July 1970, the government decided to introduce a one-party system in the country and create the Unified National Workers' Party (PUNT). On August 3, 1979, Colonel Obiang Nguema Mbasogo led a military coup, as a result of which the constitution was suspended, the National Assembly and PUNT were dissolved, and all political and trade union activities were banned. The Supreme Military Council (SMC) was formed. Mbasogo became the chairman of the SMC, the head of state and government. On December 12, 1982, as a result of a referendum, a constitution was adopted, according to which Mbasogo was elected president. The Supreme Military Council was dissolved, elections to parliament were held, and a government was formed. Under the influence of democratic trends, including in African countries, and pressure from major partners (Spain, France), a "gradual and phased" transition to democratic forms of governance was declared in 1991: since December 1991, a new constitution has been in effect, in January 1992 regulatory acts on political parties were adopted (a multiparty system was introduced), freedom of assembly and demonstrations, and a general amnesty was declared, and a "transitional period" government was formed. In April-May 1993, a meeting of the government headed by the prime minister with representatives of opposition parties took place, resulting in the signing of a "national consensus pact".
The government agreed to revise the electoral law and hold general elections. Meanwhile, the process of democratization is taking place under difficult conditions, and the potential for confrontation between the government and the opposition remains. In early 1998, an armed uprising by separatists occurred on Bioko Island, which was suppressed by the authorities.
Since 1983, the government has been pursuing an "open door" economic policy, encouraging foreign investment and transferring unprofitable state enterprises into private hands. In order to pull the economy out of crisis, the government has undertaken structural reforms proposed by the IMF and the World Bank.
The country's economy has an agrarian-raw material character. In agriculture, 80% of the working-age population is employed, while only about 4% of the territory is cultivated. The economic situation has been characterized for many years by stagnation, inflation, and an increase in external debt (exceeding $300 million). More than 90% of all projects and socio-economic programs were implemented with external financing. The situation has somewhat improved due to the discovery of large oil fields in REG. Growth has occurred exclusively due to increased oil production (84.7% of GDP) and high prices for it. In 2004, GDP per capita reached a very high level by African standards - $7,200.
Currently, hopes are pinned on the rapid development of the oil sector. Explored oil reserves on the Equatorial Guinean shelf are estimated at 3 billion barrels. In 2003, oil production exceeded 11 million tons. The development of the fields is mainly carried out by American companies "Mobil Oil," "Chevron," "Trident," "Nomeco," and "UMK," as well as French companies "Total" and "Elf." In terms of capital investments by American companies, REG ranks 4th among African countries south of the Sahara.
Otherwise, the economy is oriented towards the production of traditional export crops - cocoa beans (3,000 tons) and coffee (350 tons), as well as timber (over 100,000 m³). Fishing is an important industry. REG has no own fleet; however, up to $3 million is received annually in the state budget from the issuance of licenses. Foreign vessels catch 4,000 tons of tuna and shrimp per year.
In recent years, the state budget has had a positive balance, more than 80% of which comes from oil production. The increase in foreign currency revenues from oil has allowed the government to start implementing a number of social programs and raise the salaries of civil servants. In 2004, imports amounted to about $1 billion, exports - $2.9 billion (over 95% - crude oil). The main trading partners are countries
of Western Europe (Spain, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Germany), Cameroon, and also China. The structure of imports has not changed significantly over the years and primarily includes food products (up to 20%), machinery and equipment, as well as essential goods.
Due to the real strengthening of the country's economy, primarily due to the oil factor, there has been an increase in illegal immigration to REG from neighboring countries (Nigeria and Cameroon), as well as other African countries, which causes dissatisfaction among the local population. Conflicts with incoming foreigners create tensions between REG and neighboring countries.
There are no railways. Domestic transportation is mainly carried out by road transport. The total length of the road network is about 3,000 km. The main ocean port of the country is located in Bata. Maritime transport is also carried out through the ports of Malabo, Luba, Mbini, and Kogo. There are 2 international airports in the country - in the cities of Malabo and Bata.
The literacy level of the population is low - less than 20%. There are no higher educational institutions. A government newspaper, "Ebano," is published, and there are 4 radio stations and 2 television centers; broadcasting is conducted in Spanish and French.