The so-called Republic of Annobón declared independence from Equatorial Guinea in 2022, though has been unsuccessful in securing international recognition.

Orlando Cartagena Lagar, who styles himself as prime minister and heads a government-in-exile based in Madrid, has now asked Argentina to annex his island.

Annobón has a population of around 5,000 people who mostly speak a Portuguese creole. Its capital is nearly 5,000 miles away from Buenos Aires.

Mr Lagar, who travelled to the Argentinian capital this week, told Radio Rivadavia: “We can be part of Argentina – we can be a province or an annexed state.

“Ultimately, we ask [Argentinian] president Javier Milei for help to end a fierce dictatorship.”