Gulf of Guinea Commission set up to mediate regional disputes

A new commission was set up Friday at the end of a summit of leaders of Guinean Gulf countries here to handle and mediate disputes in the region over oil exploration and aquatic resources.

The Gulf of Guinea Commission (CGG), with its headquarters based in Angola, comprises Angola, Cameroon, the Republic of Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Sao Tome and Principe.

The Gulf of Guinea, which stretches from Nigeria's southern shores as far south as Angola, is rich in oil and aquatic resources. However, with oil exploration and fishing activities on the rise, conflicts and disputes over ownership of the territory and exploration of resources have also increased among the region's countries.

The establishment of the CGG, which aims to monitor peace agreements on preventing conflicts and resolving disputes, provides a good framework for consultation and coordination among the countries.

Attending the half-day meeting were heads of state from Gabon, Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria and Sao Tome and Principe, Cameroon's prime minister, the Republic of Congo's foreign minister and the DRC's ambassador to Gabon.

Source: Xinhua