The Republic of Equatorial Guinea is committed to the African Union as the country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Cooperation, Agapito Mba Mokuy, runs for the Presidency of the African Union Commission.
Minister Mba Mokuy has highlighted his platform goals are to develop programs to provide more opportunities for young people through Africa and reduce emigration.
“Youth is one of the priorities of the Equatorial Guinea candidacy,” said Minister Mba Mokuy. “I believe that the African Union Commission should support the Heads of State with the adoption of programs that allow the creation of more employment on the African continent. We have this capacity; we have to strengthen it. Many of our young people leave because they cannot find jobs. For that reason, priority must be given to youth directly or indirectly, to deal with these issues, and the question of youth and the question of employment.”
Minister Mba Mokuy also stressed the intellectual empowerment of young people in order to best use their resources, as well as the importance of Pan-Africanism.
"In order for this dream to become a reality, the African countries have to take steps to ensure there is order, stability and security. President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo said that we need to call on Africa to show seriousness, dignity, respect and solidarity,” said Minister Mba Mokuy.
Equatorial Guinea has contributed the African Union in the past, including hosting the 25th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union in Malabo in 2014, which Minister Mba Mokuy led and two African Union Summits.
More recently, the President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea hosted the Peace and Security Council at the 26th Summit of Heads of State and Governments of the African Union in 2016.
Four other candidates are running for the Presidency, including Botswana Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi; Dr. Moussa Faki Mahamat of Chad; Dr. Amina Mohammed of Kenya; and Dr. Abdoulaye Bathily of Senegal.
The appointment of new leadership will take place at the upcoming 28th Ordinary Assembly of the African Union Heads of State and Government on 30 January in Addis Ababa.