Source: Zim, E. Guinea set to sign first JPCC – herald
Nyore Madzianike
Senior Reporter
ZIMBABWE and Equatorial Guinea are set to sign their first Joint Permanent Commission on Co-operation (JPCC), which will focus on investment, road and air transport, agriculture, mining, fisheries, culture, tourism and energy.
President Mnangagwa invited Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who is expected in Harare tomorrow, for a working visit during which the two countries are expected to sign the inaugural JPCC.
The two Heads of State are also expected to revisit some of the Memoranda of Understanding signed when President Mnangagwa visited Equatorial Guinea in February 2023.
Ahead of the signing ceremony, senior Government officials from Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea yesterday held a Senior Officials’ Meeting in Harare.
The meeting was co-chaired by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Secretary Ambassador Albert Chimbindi and Equatorial Guinea Ministry of Foreign Affairs General Secretary Mr Matias Nguema Mba Medja.
Senior Government officials from both countries sat in committees focusing on political and diplomatic affairs, economic issues, social matters, defence and security.
In his remarks at the start of the meeting, Ambassador Chimbindi said the signing of the JPCC reflected the longstanding and excellent relations between the two nations.
He said the development also demonstrated that bilateral relations between the two countries continued on a positive trajectory.
“We firmly believe that the JPCC is the cornerstone of bilateral relations, providing a structured platform for dialogue, coordination and the advancement of mutually beneficial initiatives across a wide range of sectors.
“Co-Chair, the success of our deliberations depends on the timely and effective implementation of agreed commitments. We must be accountable and ensure sustained follow-through to translate shared intentions into tangible results and measurable benefits for both nations.
“I am happy to note that our special relations came from afar and are reinforced by high-level exchanges. They are characterised by tangible cooperation in some key sectors such as education, wildlife conservation and management, defence and security,” he said.
Ambassador Chimbindi thanked Equatorial Guinea for extending a fuel facility to Zimbabwe at a time when the economy was affected by illegal sanctions imposed by some Western countries.
“We shall remain grateful in that regard,” he said.
Amb Chimbindi also expressed appreciation for Equatorial Guinea’s support for Zimbabwe’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
He said Zimbabwe was counting on Equatorial Guinea’s vote in the June 3, 2026 elections.
“Zimbabwe believes and is committed to the reciprocal spirit of mutual support and solidarity at the continental and global fora.
“While acknowledging these strides, I wish to emphasise the need to urgently resolve any implementation gaps and urge both sides to expedite the execution of agreed commitments.”
On his part, Mr Medja said the visit demonstrated Equatorial Guinea’s strong desire to strengthen the historic friendship between the two countries.
“The convening of this first meeting of the Joint Commission is not a fortuitous event, rather, it is the materialisation of the political will of our Heads of State, His Excellency President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo and His Excellency President Mnangagwa, who envisioned a strategic alliance founded on mutual trust and South-South cooperation, with the aim of creating shared advantages and improving the living conditions of their respective peoples.
“With great wisdom, they have facilitated this first bilateral session of the Equatorial Guinea-Zimbabwe Joint Commission on Cooperation.”
Mr Medja said the convergence of views and similarity of policies implemented in Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea in various sectors had brought the two countries closer together.
“As you are aware, Joint Commission meetings constitute the most important forum for monitoring and evaluating our cooperation.
“Through them, we assess the implementation of the mandates entrusted to us by our Heads of State, as well as the directives aimed at advancing their new orientations in order to continue our advancing common work.”
Mr Medja said the platform also provided an opportunity to exchange views on progress achieved following the signing of several legal instruments in different areas of cooperation.
He said it would also allow both countries to discuss challenges affecting cooperation and examine strategies to make the partnership more productive.
“We have also come to resume technical negotiations aimed at reaching a mutually satisfactory solution regarding the restructuring of the sovereign debt between Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea.
“This first session of the Joint Commission must define the course of our cooperation for the coming years and help us better project the areas of cooperation between our two countries.
“Indeed, the current socio-economic, peace, and security situation calls upon States, especially countries of the Global South, to strengthen their strategic cooperative relations in pursuit of greater development and stability.
“In this context, I would like to draw everyone’s attention to the important need to conduct our work with solidarity, perseverance, and realism in order to achieve the objectives we have set for ourselves,” Mr Medja said.
He said, from an African perspective and within the framework of the 2030 and 2063 Development Agendas, Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea were in a favourable position to confront challenges likely to threaten peace, security and stability.
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