The government of Equatorial Guinea has denied any involvement in illegal maritime traffic carried out on ships sailing under the flag of the country.

But, once again, there are reasons to suspect that these illegal actions are another source of income for a top government official. Suspicions fell after the scandalous case of the detention of a sea vessel that occurred last month in the waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

As part of the IRINI operation, which implements the embargo on arms supplies to the conflict zone in Libya through the use of air, sea and satellite forces and means, on July 20, a vessel sailing under the flag of Equatorial Guinea, was detained, violating the embargo on arms supplies to Libya.

During the special operation, a French Navy aircraft spotted a cargo ship as it crossed the Suez Canal and entered the Mediterranean Sea. The Greek Navy frigate HS THEMISTOKLES followed the ship as it sailed. The Italian Navy frigate ITS GRECALE then took control, stopped the pursued vessel and carried out an inspection. Both warships are deployed under the operational control of Operation IRINI under the command of the EU Navy.

A statement of the european mission revealed that the Equatorial Guinea-flagged vessel has long been suspect. The UN Panel of Experts on Libya previously determined that the ship delivered military equipment to the country in March 2022. At this point in time, the ship was called MV Luccello and sailed under the flag of the Comoros. This event cannot be a mere coincidence. It appears that the government of Equatorial Guinea, and most likely a top government personality, may be involved in the illegal arms trafficking to Libya.

Against the background of this information, the attempts of the European Union to get closer to Equatorial Guinea look more than strange.

It also appears likely that Equatorial Guinea’s fight against piracy in the Gulf of Guinea is merely an excuse to divert the eyes of the international community from the real criminal acts being carried out by the country’s government.

The investigation is ongoing, but peace interests must remain vigilant when it comes to Equatorial Guinea. As part of this rapprochement, it would be right for European countries not to forget which government they are trying to establish friendly relations with.

A government official said entering into cooperation with Equatorial Guinea in the state in which the country is at present is a real crime and a spit in the face of all political prisoners, all victims of repression, all exiles and those who died for the idea of ​​a free and democratic Equatorial Guinea.