Equatorial Guinea Takes OACPS Presidency at 50th Summit
MALABO, Equatorial Guinea – In a historic gathering marking half a century of cooperation, Equatorial Guinea is set to take the helm of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) this weekend. The transition will take place during the 11th Summit of Heads of State and Government, hosted in the capital city of Malabo.
Equatorial Guinean President Teodoro Obiang will officially succeed Angolan President João Lourenço, whose country has led the intergovernmental organization since December 2022. This leadership handover coincides with the OACPS’s 50th anniversary, a milestone for a group founded in 1975 to champion the interests of Global South nations.
High-Level Attendance from the Lusophone World
The transition highlights the significant influence of Portuguese-speaking nations within the OACPS. Among the core members are Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Timor-Leste.
Several key leaders have confirmed their attendance to witness the transfer of power. Angolan President João Lourenço arrived in Malabo on Friday to finalize his nation’s mandate. He is joined by Mozambican President Daniel Chapo, who intends to use the summit to bolster his country’s international standing.
“President Chapo will reaffirm the country’s unconditional support for the ongoing reforms within the OACPS,” the Mozambican Presidency announced in a statement. The presidency added that the visit aims to “strengthen Mozambique’s commitment to multilateralism and South-South cooperation.”
Guinea-Bissau is also signaling a renewed diplomatic push, represented by Foreign Minister João Bernardo Vieira. The Guinean government characterized the summit as a pivotal moment marking the country’s “firm return to active participation in international institutions.”
A Packed Anniversary Agenda
The two-day summit involves a blend of high-stakes diplomacy and strategic planning. Saturday’s agenda features closed-door sessions focused on organizational reforms and a critical roundtable for fund mobilization. The day will conclude with a state dinner hosted by President Obiang.
On Sunday, the focus shifts to economic development with a scheduled Business Summit. The event will wrap up with a joint press conference featuring President Obiang and OACPS Secretary-General Moussa Batraki, where they are expected to outline the organization’s roadmap for the coming years.
50 Years of Global South Solidarity
The OACPS was established with the mission of uniting developing nations to defend common interests and build a cooperation model based on equity and mutual respect. As Equatorial Guinea begins its presidency, the organization continues to focus on strengthening the autonomy of its member states in an increasingly complex global political landscape.
Image: Pexels – Khwanchai Phanthong
