Equatorial Guinea officially moves its capital to Ciudad de La Paz
In a historic move that reshapes the country’s political and administrative map, the Republic of Equatorial Guinea officially announced the change of its capital from the coastal city of Malabo to the modern city of Ciudad de La Paz, by presidential decree issued on Saturday, with the decision taking immediate effect and a timeframe for implementation.
Details of the presidential decree
President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who has ruled the country for nearly 47 years, confirmed that this decision came after years of planning and preparation. The decree mandates that all presidential services, constitutional bodies, government agencies, and public companies take all necessary measures to relocate their headquarters to the new capital within a maximum of one year.
Why "Ciudad de la Paz"?
President Obiang had revealed his intention to relocate the capital in 2008, choosing a site deep within the tropical forests of the mainland. The city, formerly known as Oyala before being renamed Ciudad de la Paz (City of Peace), was designed to be a symbol of modernity and progress in Central Africa. The president justified the move by stating that the new city's geographical location in the heart of the continental region (Rio Muni) made it the "optimal choice" from a strategic and security standpoint, compared to the old capital.
Important geographical and security context
This move is significant due to Equatorial Guinea's complex geography. The former capital, Malabo, is located on Bioko Island, completely separated from the African mainland. This has posed logistical and security challenges for many years, particularly regarding defense and connectivity with the rest of the country. The relocation to the mainland provides the government with greater centralization and faster access to different regions, as well as providing the country with strategic depth.
Economic and developmental motives
In addition to security concerns, the decree cited pressing developmental imperatives, most notably the rapid and unregulated urbanization of Malabo and the economic capital, Bata. The massive influx of people from rural areas to major cities in recent years has placed immense pressure on infrastructure. The new capital, largely funded by the country's abundant oil and gas revenues, is intended as a radical solution to alleviate this population density and create a new development hub.
Observers liken this move to similar international experiences, such as Nigeria moving its capital from Lagos to Abuja, or Brazil to Brasilia, where such large projects usually aim to redistribute wealth and population and promote national unity away from the legacy of the colonial era, which was often concentrated in coastal cities.
