Obiang Makes Spirited Call To Respect African Sovereignty

Equatorial Guinea's President closes Sullivan Summit with reminder that Africans are best qualified to resolve African problems.  

MALABO, Equatorial Guinea, Aug. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea closed the fourth day of the Leon H. Sullivan Foundation Summit with an assertive call for western nations to respect African decisions and allow Africans to resolve their own problems and engineer their own development.

The fourth day of the conference, held at the Sipopo Conference Center in Malabo, focused on African governance.

"Ten years ago, Equatorial Guinea was ranked amongst the poorest of the African countries; today it is ranked very high amongst us," said John Kufuor, former President of Ghana. "The country is making strives in all areas, Equatorial Guinea is a country rapidly evolving."

In his closing address, President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo said, "Africa has begun its revival, and it is centered on the development of the continent. Africa has taken control of its own resources, which helps our countries move forward."

President Obiang stressed that during the last three decades, Equatorial Guinea has been experiencing a complete transformation, going "from a dictatorship to a democratic country, where we have improved the country's socio-economic, cultural and political sectors."

"Equatorial Guinea has established a government based on what works in Equatorial Guinea, based on Africa and not on what works for the western world. Europe accuses us of having acquired ill-gotten gains, but when they acquired our resources, those were the ill-gotten gains."

"We continue to work toward institutional reforms and democracy to reach the goals of the Horizon 2020 development plan and move closer to an emergent economy," said President Obiang.

In his closing remarks, President Obiang urged the Leon H. Sullivan Foundation to focus on creating new structures to harness the renewed energy of Africa and African descents.

The last day of the Sullivan Summit held an afternoon session, where a dynamic group of renowned women, including Anastasia Nsang Nse Ada, Economist, Tanya Kersey, President of the Hollywood Black Film Festival, among others, shared their insights, experience and tips for successfully navigating life's challenges and attaining one's dreams.

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 hosted the 2011 Summit of the African Union. For more information, visit http://www.guineaecuatorialpress.com.

SOURCE Republic of Equatorial Guinea