Belarus, Equatorial Guinea sign agreements and Minsk seeks allies

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has inked crucial cooperation agreements with Equatorial Guinea during a diplomatic visit to President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo in Malabo. This diplomatic engagement, occurring amidst the Ukraine war, underscores Lukashenko’s efforts to secure African support.

Among the notable agreements is the establishment of a regional center dedicated to promoting Belarusian products in central and west African markets, a development Lukashenko communicated to the Belta news agency.

The collaborative efforts extend across various sectors, encompassing industry, education, health, and agriculture. The proposed projects, slated for completion by 2026, have undergone meticulous examination over the past months under the purview of a joint commission chaired by the foreign ministers of both nations. These initiatives represent a significant step in fortifying bilateral relations and fostering mutual cooperation between Belarus and Equatorial Guinea.

Notably referred to as “Europe’s last dictator,” Lukashenko has faced international isolation and sanctions from Western nations due to his unwavering support for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and his suppression of domestic dissent. The Equatorial Guinean leader, Mbasogo, during his inaugural visit to Minsk in September, echoed a sentiment against the “diktat of Western multinationals,” aligning with the prevailing discourse in Kremlin rhetoric.

President Mbasogo, an enduring figure in Equatorial Guinea’s political landscape with a remarkable 44-year rule, holds sway over the oil-rich central African nation. The diplomatic exchange serves as a testament to both leaders’ shared perspectives and seeks to strengthen ties between their respective nations in the face of geopolitical challenges and global dynamics.