President Lula makes controversial visit to Equatorial Guinea
Lula was greeted by his West African counterpart at the airport.
"We are not aiding or promoting dictatorships", defends Celso Amorim
In a festive arrival at the airport of Malabo, the capital of Equatorial Guinea, president Lula was greeted by the African country’s president, Obiang Mbasogo. Banners lauded the friendship between the two leaders. Heavily armed soldiers patrolled the streets and a tank was even parked in front of the Brazilian delegation’s hotel.
The visit caused some controversy because Equatorial Guinea’s president has been in power for 31 years and is internationally accused of embezzlement and human rights violations. The West African country is a major oil producer, but 60% of the population lives in poverty.
President Lula didn’t speak to journalists in Equatorial Guinea. As for Brazil’s Foreign Minister, Celso Amorim, he defended the visit saying that business is business.
“We are not aiding or promoting dictatorships. This is an important region, it is rich in petroleum, with great possibilities for the construction industry. There are Brazilian businesses here, and there are great possibilities to improve their agriculture. Brazil needs to help this country", said Amorim.
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