Equatorial Guinea Donates 2 Million Euros to Somalia Famine Victims

Obiang Calls for United International Community Help

MALABO, Equatorial Guinea, Aug. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Equatorial Guinean President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo donated two million Euros to aid victims of the famine in Somalia. President Obiang also encouraged his fellow citizens to contribute to the relief effort, and the government has established a system for citizens to make contributions at local banks.

"This aid is a humanitarian donation to help the severe famine affecting the lives of over eleven million people in Somalia," President Obiang said on Wednesday. He called on individuals in the private and public sectors of his country to "help the brothers, sisters, mothers and children of Somalia."

National media reported that citizens' donations collected in Equatorial Guinea will be deposited in banks in the capital city of Malabo. The African Union members, led by Chairman Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, will meet at an international conference to be held in Addis Ababa on August 25th to review progress on aid to Somalia.

While addressing the African Union delegations at the African Union Summit, held in Malabo last month, President Obiang stressed the need for unity and solidarity among African nations. He told member countries that even though they are "often exposed to pressures created by external nations," they must work together to strengthen the resolve and influence of the union.

Following Equatorial Guinea's policy of promoting unity and solidarity, the country donated $500,000 to Japan after the Fukushima nuclear disaster. Equatorial Guinea's effort toward a unified and prosperous nation is one of the development goals established by President Obiang in his ambitious Horizon 2020 program.

About Equatorial Guinea
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 will host the 2011 Summit of the African Union. For more information, visit http://www.guineaecuatorialpress.com.

SOURCE Republic of Equatorial Guinea