Dubbed the first feature film to shoot in Equatorial Guinea, the coastal country located in central Africa, here’s a first trailer for a drama titled Where The Road Runs Out, which stars Isaach De Bankolé, along with Juilet Landau and Stelio Savante, which was shot over the last 2 months, in Equatorial Guinea, and other location in South Africa and the Netherlands.

The film was written by David Hughes, and is being directed by Rudolf Buitendach, and produced by the Dutch production company Firenze Films.

What’s it about?

A Rotterdam based respected scientist and lecturer (Isaach De Bankole) has grown weary of the world of academia. The sudden death of an old friend who has been running a field research station in Africa gives him the incentive he needs to turn his back on his academia and return to his African roots. Arriving in Equatorial Guinea he finds the field station in a state of disrepair. Through a local boy Jimi, his jaded eyes are opened to the possibilities of life in this rich and colorful place. Jimi also introduces him to Corina (Juliet Landau) who runs the local orphanage and a tentative but heartfelt romance begins. With the unexpected arrival of George’s old friend Martin (Stelio Savante), George discovers there are many obstacles on the road to redemption…and many more where the road runs out.

Needless to say, anything with Isaach de Bankolé starring will get my attention.

Of note, the production has partnered with SOS Children’s Villages, the world’s largest charity dedicated to orphaned and abandoned children.

No word yet on when we can expect to see the finished product, but in the meantime, a first trailer was sent to us over the weekend, and is embedded below, so check it out:

http://vimeo.com/65530818

The walls and surfaces of cities such as Malabo and Bata, and of the large and small Equatorial Guineans towns, exhibit more colors than usual these days: those of the thousands of posters of various political groups that will go to the election polls next May 26.

This country’s major party, the Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea (PDGE), which is running in the elections in coalition with a wide range of political parties, and along with Convergence for Democracy in Equatorial Guinea (CPDS), are certainly the two most active parties in developing their campaigns. The PDGE has invaded the walls of the streets with numerous large posters and prints, as the CPDS has done, whose red posters are easily visible.

In addition, both parties are holding numerous rallies and meetings with voters in towns and cities, with the assistance of the followers of the different parties, who come to listen to the politicians.

On May 26, elections will be held to choose the representatives of the House of People’s Representatives, which from now on will be called the Chamber of Deputies, as well as of the new Senate and of the municipalities throughout the country.

Fifa has appointed KAMILLE Bernard from Seychelles to handle the 2014 World Cup qualifier between Equatorial Guinea and Tunisia.

The match would take place on June 16 at the Malabo stadium (Nuevo Estadio de Malabo).

He would be assisted by his compatriots Petrousse Hensley Danny, ADLAIDE Eldrick and LABROSSE Jean-Claude.

Nigeria’s BASSEY Paul would be the match commissioner.

Tunisia would be hoping to continue their 100 percent record after winning all their three matches in the first round leading the Group B with 9 points ahead of Sierra Leone and Equatorial Guinea with 4 points each.

MALABO, Equatorial Guinea, PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Equatorial Guinea political parties today addressed the local and international media in a press conference held in the Equatorial Guinea Cultural Center in Malabo. Political candidates participating in the upcoming elections, from the opposition parties and the coalition, were able to share their platforms in an open and transparent setting. Candidates showed civility toward one another and shared ideas that reflected genuine democratic participation.

Richard Milam Acubiru, assistant director of communications for the Electoral Campaign for the Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea (PDGE) said, “Our party is focused is on the maintenance of a political, economic and socio-cultural environment that works toward achieving a fast and balanced development with the ultimate goal of becoming an emergent country in 2020. Our platform focuses on the political, public, social, economic and infrastructure sectors to further develop the country.”

Francisco Mba, president of the Democratic and Progressive Alliance (ADP) party, which is part of the coalition, and current minister of transportation talked freely to the international media and said, “Equatorial Guinea is working hard to get close to other countries’ development, but countries in Europe for example are growing and developing at a much faster rate than we can. There’s still a lot of work to be done in Equatorial Guinea but we are on our way to becoming an emergent country. We fight to prove that today is better than when we lived under colonization and dictatorship. Today, the people of Equatorial Guinea live better and have more opportunities than in the past.” When talking about his experience in the coalition and working with other political parties, Mr. Mba said, “I’ve had a positive experience being part of the coalition. Coalition members sit together at a round table to discuss our ideas and how to carry them through. We come to a census through dialogue and camaraderie where every member is free to share their ideas.”

During the press conference, Andres Esono, communications secretary and Malabo major candidate for the opposition party, Convergence for Social Democracy (CPDS) said, “We have been able to campaign freely and share our platform with the people in Equatorial Guinea. We have shared our ideas and have communicated how we plan to share the country’s resources in an equal way.” When talking about incidents during the electoral campaign, Mr. Esono said that some of their posters had been ripped from the walls around town.

Alfredo Mitogo, leader of the Popular Union (UP) party, which is part of the coalition, said that he would like to see non-governmental organizations work with Equatorial Guinea to “find solutions that help our country while supporting our laws and our people without altering our established laws.”

Jesus Loguna, opposition party and parliament candidate for the Popular Action of Equatorial Guinea (APGE) party said, “We have always participated in election events because we live in a democracy. We don’t want confrontation. Our objective is to be able to increase our natural resources development. We should invest more in exploiting our rich soils and expand our agriculture sector.” In reference to the financing of the party’s campaign, Mr. Loguna said, “We have received financing from the Ministry of Interior as well as from members of the party.”

Head of State meets with US Ambassador and announced international observers will be present.

Malabo, Equatorial Guinea – The electoral campaigning began on Friday with the vitality of nation that is growing by leaps and bounds. The general elections for the House of Representatives, the Senate and Municipal Councilors will bring Equatorial Guineans to the polls on May 26 in record numbers.

With hallmarks of a statesman and visionary, His Excellency, President  Obiang Nguema Mbasogo addressed the nation this week and said, “I appeal to our countrymen that during the campaign there be civility, patriotism, citizenship, and responsibility”.

“Properly understood, we hope that this Electoral Campaign is a noble political game that does not support fighting against opponents, but rather a campaign that allows for the competition of ideas and aids to facilitate the consideration of the People of Equatorial Guinea in proselytizing, for a genuine democratic process that provides to our country a clean and transparent image, that is, it should not raise rivalries, hatred or offenses which violate the individual and collective rights”, the President added.

Leading up to the start of the election campaigning, the President continues to meet with an array of stakeholders throughout the country. One of those was The Honorable Mark L. Asquino, US Ambassador to Equatorial Guinea. In public comments, the Ambassador said,  ”I have had the opportunity to speak with President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo about the general elections that are coming up, which offer an opportunity to Equatorial Guinea to show that it is committed to democratic development, for which reason it is a very important date for the history of the country”.

Across the pond (America), the electoral campaign underway is capturing the Diaspora attention and admiration. “Equatorial Guinea is emerging as the shining light of Africa for democracy, development and human rights”, said Victor Mooney of New York City based South African Arts International.

Upon their arrival at the Malabo International Airport, the Head of State and the First Lady were greeted by political, administrative and military authorities, headed by the Vice-Presidents of the Republic, Ignacio Milam Tang, for Presidential Affairs,  and Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, for Defense and State Security.

During his stay in the U.S., H.E. Obiang Nguema Mbasogo attended the Special High Level Session of the UN on conflicts in Africa, held in New York City.

In meeting with the press at the presidential hall of the airport, the leader of the nation said his visit to the United States was due to an invitation made ​​by the President of the General Assembly of the United Nations.

-”Africa is under pressure right now, especially from the former colonialists who seek to destabilize Africa. The internal instability experienced in Africa is due precisely to these politics. The great powers have used the United Nations to destabilize other countries, that is why they have the right to veto,”said the President.

In this regard, the Head of State added that Africa should have its place in the Security Council with veto power, so they can oppose the intervention of the powers seeking to destabilize the continent.

The President also called on African leaders to unite, for the purpose of taking responsibility for their nations, and suggested to the great powers to cease their politics of creating instability, not only on the neo-colonialist level, but also in the economic aspect.

Similarly, H.E. Obiang Nguema Mbasogo was in contact with the U.S. to address cooperative relations between the Governments of Malabo and the United States.

The meeting between President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo and the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, Don Yamamoto, took place at The Hay Adams Hotel in Washington D.C., and was attended by the Guinean Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Agapito Mba Mokuy, and some of the presidential advisors that make up the official delegation and other dignitaries from the U.S. State Department.

According to statements by the Secretary of State, the meeting was aimed at addressing several issues concerning the current status of the African continent in general, and particularly the rapid development currently being experienced in the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, with special emphasis on the activities implemented in the country’s energy sector.

VENTURES AFRICA – Equatorial Guinea’s Minister of Mines, Industry & Energy,  H.E. Gabriel M Obiang Lima, has confirmed he will be making vital announcements about the next blocks to be put up for sale at the annual EG Gas Conference in Malabo, in June.

Equatorial Guinea recently formally ratified eight offshore and onshore production sharing contracts, all of which include GEPetrol as a partner. Some of the companies that secured PSCs are well known industry players. However the awardees also include smaller, less known companies from West Africa, China and Brazil suggesting that Equatorial Guinea is ready to welcome new investors to the country. New blocks will be offered to the international petroleum industry later in the year with more details confirmed to be announced at the upcoming EG Gas Conference.

EG Gas Conference is expected to bring together more than 300 top executives, decision-makers and leaders in the field from the country and abroad.

Drill monkey that inhabits the jungle of Bioko Island in Equatorial Guinea

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The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Agapito Mba Mokuy, went to the Zarzuela Palace to be received in audience by the King of Spain, Juan Carlos I, accompanied by the Counselor of the Presidency of the Republic, Pastor Micha Ondo Bile, and the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of Spain, Gonzalo de Benito Secades.

Mba Mokuy transmitted to the Spanish monarch the message of H.E. Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, and in an atmosphere of clear cordiality, they discussed bilateral relations between Malabo and Madrid.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs already carried out an official visit to Spain last November to sign the Aviation Agreement between Equatorial Guinea and Spain with his Spanish counterpart Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo.