The President of Equatorial Guinea officially proclaimed Ciudad de la Paz as the nation’s new capital during a ceremony held on Friday.
The historic declaration took place at the government headquarters in the Djibloho province, where the new capital is located, in the presence of the Vice President, the First Lady, and several high-ranking state officials.
In his address, the Equatorial Guinean head of state justified the relocation by citing critical security concerns. He specifically recalled previous maritime attacks on government headquarters in Malabo and Bata, as well as a thwarted 2017 coup attempt near the border with Cameroon. Beyond security, the President emphasized the need to move away from colonial-era structures after 57 years of independence and to ensure a more equitable distribution of power throughout the country. He noted that this shift mirrors successful relocations in other nations, such as Nigeria’s move to Abuja and Brazil’s move to Brasilia.
The transition to the new capital is expected to be a gradual process. According to the Vice President, who shared details on the social media platform X, a one-year timeframe has been established for the institutional transfer and the establishment of state structures in Ciudad de la Paz. Situated in the center of the country’s continental region, the new capital is strategically located to be accessible from any district in less than three hours.
Government officials believe the relocation will bring significant socio-economic benefits, including the creation of thousands of jobs through ongoing infrastructure construction. Additionally, the move aims to regulate migration flows toward older major cities like Malabo and Bata while reinforcing the overall political stability of the republic.
AC/fss/abj/APA