Equatorial Guinea–United States relations

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Equatorial Guinea – United States relations
Map indicating locations of Equatorial Guinea and USA

Equatorial Guinea
United States

Equatorial Guinea – United States relations are

bilateral relations between Equatorial Guinea and the United States
.

History

The Equatoguinean Government views the

U.S. Government
and American companies favorably. The United States is the largest single foreign investor in Equatorial Guinea. U.S. companies have the largest and most visible foreign presence in the country. In an effort to attract increased U.S. investment. With the increased U.S. investment presence, relations between the U.S. and the Government of Equatorial Guinea have been characterized by a positive, constructive relationship.

Equatorial Guinea maintains an embassy in

Houston, Texas. President Obiang
has worked to cultivate the Equatorial Guinea-U.S. relationship with regular visits to the U.S. for meetings with senior government and business leaders.

The United States established diplomatic relations with

Albert W. Sherer, then Ambassador to Togo, as the first Ambassador to Equatorial Guinea on October 28, 1968.[2] Diplomatic relations were formally initiated on November 21, 1968, when Ambassador Sherer presented his credentials to the Equatorial Guinean government and the American Embassy in Santa Isabel (current day Malabo) was officially established on August 1, 1969, with Albert N. Williams serving as Chargé d’Affaires ad interim.[2]

Diplomatic relations were suspended on March 14, 1976, when U.S. Ambassador

U.S. nuclear weapons. A few days later, Equatorial Guinea's foreign ministry sent a telegram to the State Department announcing that the two U.S. diplomats were barred from returning to the country.[3][2] Relations were normalized again on December 19, 1979, upon the credential presentation of Mabel Murphy Smythe-Haith as American Ambassador.[2]

The U.S. Embassy in Malabo was once again established on June 11, 1981, with Joanne Thompson as the Chargé d’Affaires ad interim, only to be closed on October 31, 1995, with its functions temporarily moved to the U.S. Embassy in Yaoundé, Cameroon.[2] In response to growing economic and political interests, particularly pertaining to energy access and security, the U.S. Government reopened the Embassy in Malabo in 2006. Donald J. Johnson became the first resident ambassador in over a decade when he presented his credentials on November 23, 2006.[2]

The 2005

Human Rights report on Equatorial Guinea cited shortcomings in basic human rights, political freedom, and labor rights. Equatorial Guinea attributes deficiencies to excessive zeal on the part of local authorities and promises better control and sensitization. U.S. Government policy involves constructive engagement
with Equatorial Guinea to encourage an improvement in the human rights situation and positive use of petroleum funds directed toward the development of a working civil society. Equatoguineans visit the U.S. under programs sponsored by the U.S. Government, American oil companies, and educational institutions. The Ambassador's Self-Help Fund annually finances a number of small grassroots projects.

Reopening ceremony of the U.S. Embassy in Malabo (2003)

In view of growing ties between U.S. companies and Equatorial Guinea, the U.S. Government's overseas investment promotion agency, the

U.S. Agency for International Development has no Equatorial Guinea-related programs or initiatives nor is the Peace Corps
present. American-based non-governmental organizations and other donor groups have very little involvement in the country.

Principal U.S. officials include:

The United States has reopened its full-time Embassy in Malabo (limited function), with the first resident Ambassador in 12 years.

See also

References

  1. ^ "U.S. Embassy Malabo, Equatorial Guinea". diplomacy.state.gov. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "A Guide to the United States' History of Recognition, Diplomatic, and Consular Relations, by Country, since 1776: Equatorial Guinea". history.state.gov. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  3. ^ "Snub snaps U.S. ties with Equatorial Guinea". Lawrence Journal-World. 1976-03-15. Retrieved 2014-06-09.
  4. ^ "Ambassador David R. Gilmour".
  5. ^ "Deputy Chief of Mission".

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from U.S. Bilateral Relations Fact Sheets. United States Department of State.

External links

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