Once again, the slow and long-awaited container barge - not suitable for human transportation - has arrived at the island of Annobón in the Gulf of Guinea, marking a crucial milestone in the daily struggle of its inhabitants to access basic products. This monthly arrival represents a lifeline for a population that faces monumental logistical challenges in its search for essential goods such as meat, soap, rice and oil. However, behind this long-awaited arrival lies an odyssey that the Annobonese face in each cycle.
Returning to the capital of Equatorial Guinea after a trip that involves almost two weeks (four days outward from Malabo, spending one day in Bata, and another four days to return along the Annobón-Bata-Malabo route), the Annobonese They return exhausted and sick after long days without food, water, toilets or showers. This exhausting journey leaves in its wake a trail of fatigue and discomfort in a population that longs not only for basic products, but also for minimum conditions of well-being during their travels.
Families who do not have a loved one in the capital suffer even more, since the lack of resources and the absence of local stores condemn everyone to extreme scarcity. Only private products from the country's capital reach the island, evidencing the negligence of the state and the government towards the local population since independence in 1968. This lack of institutional support exacerbates the difficulties that the Annobonese face in their day. day, as well as on their return trips from the capital.
The monthly boat, more than just a means of transportation, becomes a symbol of hope and resilience for an island seeking to not only survive, but also thrive amidst unprecedented challenges. The fight for independence takes on new meaning in this context, where the Annobonese community yearns not only for political freedom, but also for a dignified and sustainable life in their own land.
