Cameroonian traders living on the Equator-Guinean border have significantly suffered since the closure of the Equator-Guinean land borders.
The border was closed in preparation for the presidential campaign. The presidential campaign will begin on November 3 in the small Central African country.
Vice President Teodorin Nguema Obiang, on October 25, justified the measure, saying it was necessary to prevent the infiltration of groups seeking to destabilize the campaign.
Closure Of Equatorial Guinea's Borders Affects Cameroonian traders
He did no.t give an official date for the reopening of the border. Instead, he specified that only airports would remain open. As a result, many people are now forced to use prohibited paths through the bush to complete their daily errands or activities.
The election campaign will kick off on Thursday. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a local official in Ebebiyin's northern border said the border had been closed since Monday morning.
The presidential election was initially scheduled for April 2023. Still, it was moved to November 20 to coincide with the senate, legislative, and local elections following a decree issued by long-serving leader Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.
The Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine were the main reasons behind the decision to hold the costly votes simultaneously.
Since what authorities concluded as a failed coup attempt in late 2017 aimed at assassinating President Obiang, the central African country has reportedly increased border security.
The country has substantial oil and gas reserves. However, according to the World Bank, most of its 1.3 million people live in poverty.
