Success of Joint Commission Preoccupies President Obiang Nguema

Equatorial Guinea's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Agapito Mba Mokuy, the special envoy of President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo yesterday, handed a message of the Equato-Guinean Head of State to Prime Minister Philemon Yang to be forwarded to President Paul Biya of Cameroon.

"The message essentially translates the political wish of President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo who will like to see the successful completion of the eighth Cameroon-Equatorial Guinea Joint Commission in Yaounde," Agapito Mba Mokuy told the press after discussions with Prime Minister Philemon Yang. Close sources at the in-camera discussions at the Star Building also disclosed that the President of Equatorial Guinea has invited President Paul Biya to attend the 44th anniversary of his country's independence to take place in October 2012. The envoy who was also leading the Equatorial Guinea's delegation to the Joint Commission session, said his country and Cameroon are two brotherly and friendly countries, stating that they need to ensure the success of the commission.

Talking on the major decisions, Agapito Mba Mokuy said, "We are contemplating on the possibility of signing about eight agreements now," declaring that it was an important achievement. The agreements, he said concerned the exemption of visas for holders of diplomatic and official passports, training, education and agriculture. He said the two countries were working on a commission whose mission will be to tackle any possible misunderstanding between them.

Prime Minister Yang at 1: 00 p.m. had discussions with the American Secretary of the Navy, Hon. Raymond Mabus who was accompanied among others by the US Ambassador to Cameroon, Robert P. Jackson. On the focus of their discussions that took place in the presence of the Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defence, Edgard Alain Mebe Ngo'o, the US official said, they talked on the importance of military cooperation. He stated that the US currently had a Navy Ship in Douala and said a large one will arrive in October to help in military training and exercises.

"We have found the Cameroon military to be very professional and effective everywhere it goes. In my discussions with the Prime Minister, I recommended Cameroon for regional leadership in security matters." The military training contributes to the security of the Gulf of Guinea, which Hon. Raymond Mabus said was important for the whole world. The US official and the Prime Minister equally used the audience to discuss issues such as the need for transparency and strides in democracy.