Equatorial Guinea’s President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo has arrived in Zimbabwe for a three-day state visit to a rousing welcome, Harare’s Herald newspaper reported on Thursday.
”He is warmly welcomed as our guest. I am sure we will benefit very much from this visit by strengthening our relationship,” said Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe.
The Herald‘s website said the two leaders held talks on Wednesday afternoon after a ceremonial welcome for the visitor.
After this meeting, Mugabe told reporters different areas of cooperation were discussed. The two leaders felt it was high time African countries started co-operating with each other in different areas and joint ventures. The visit would cement the relationship between the two countries.
”As Africans, we need to ensure that our security systems are intertwined. There are different areas of mutual interest we are going to develop,” Mugabe said.
President Mbasogo’s visit follows a three-day state visit by Mugabe to the oil-producing country in November 2004.
Earlier that year, Zimbabwe intercepted 67 mercenaries at Harare International Airport thought to have been on their way to stage a coup in that country. The men were tried and jailed. They were deported after serving their terms, with the exception of team leader Simon Francis Mann, who is still in prison. – Sapa