Liberland and Annobón Officials Hold High-Level Talks in Barcelona
BARCELONA, MARCH 28 – On Saturday, March 28, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Liberland, Thomas Walls, met with the Prime Minister of Annobón, Orlando Cartagena Lagar, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Annobón, Reginaldo Piño Huesca, at the Hotel Majestic in Barcelona. The Liberland delegation was also joined by its former representative to Spain, Conrad Freeman. The working language of the meeting was Spanish.
Discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations, including mutual support in relations with third countries and international organizations, potential mutual recognition, the exchange of ambassadors, and coordinated diplomatic efforts in support of the Annobón cause. Annobón is a member of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO), while Liberland is currently in the process of applying for membership.
A Memorandum of Understanding, prepared in both English and Spanish, was presented and discussed among the participants. The meeting also included an exchange of official gifts and mutual invitations to future events, including international forums and third-party engagements.
Both sides expressed a firm commitment to deepening cooperation and advancing a shared diplomatic agenda. This partnership is expected to lead to concrete joint initiatives and a stronger, more coordinated international presence.
Annobón is an island in the Gulf of Guinea, off the western coast of Africa, approximately 180 kilometers southwest of São Tomé and Príncipe. The island has a population of just over 3,000 people, with a global population of roughly 11,000. The local language, Fa D’Ambô, is a Portuguese-based creole influenced by Spanish, and many inhabitants are proficient in Spanish.
Since its transfer from Spain in 1968, the people of Annobón have endured decades of systemic neglect, repression, and denial of basic rights under the administration of Equatorial Guinea. The island’s incorporation occurred without the consent of its inhabitants. Credible reports indicate ongoing restrictions on movement, arbitrary detention, and severe limitations on access to essential resources such as potable water, food, and medicine.
Traditional means of self-sufficiency, including agriculture and cassava cultivation, have been deliberately undermined. Access to the island by sea and air remains tightly restricted, effectively isolating the population. Communications with the outside world have been curtailed, including the shutdown of telephone and internet services.
Serious environmental damage has also been inflicted on the island. Mining operations and the use of dynamite have caused extensive destruction to the land, while allegations persist that Annobón has been used as a dumping ground for toxic materials. These activities have had a direct and lasting impact on both the environment and the health and livelihoods of the local population.
Individuals who have spoken out against these conditions have reportedly been detained and subjected to harsh treatment in Equatorial Guinea’s prisons.
Despite repeated appeals by the Annobón General Assembly for internal self-determination, no meaningful response has been forthcoming. In light of these circumstances, the Republic of Annobón declared independence on July 8, 2022, and is represented internationally by its independence movement, Ambo Legadu. Preparations are underway for events marking the fourth anniversary of this declaration in July 2026, in which Liberland intends to participate.
The Government of Liberland affirms that the situation facing the people of Annobón constitutes a serious and ongoing injustice. It calls for greater international awareness, scrutiny, and engagement, and supports the right of the Annobonnese people to have their voices heard and their future determined in accordance with fundamental principles of human rights and self-determination.