Luanda - The President of the Republic, João Lourenço, Wednesday addressed the nation after the acts of vandalism and rioting that took place in Luanda last Monday.
Mr. Vice President of the Republic
Honourable members of the Council of Ministers
Angolan men and women
Dear fellow citizens
In the early hours of this Monday morning, 10 January, the country was surprised by an act of rebellion that altered public order, vandalised public and private property and put the physical safety and lives of peaceful citizens, workers in general and health and media professionals in particular at risk.
The halt of a small number of Luanda taxis, even after the Angolan government had promptly complied with the main demand of the associations representing the class, which was a reduction in the number of passengers in taxis due to protection measures against the spread of the SARS-COV 2 virus, was used as a pretext for political exploitation to incur the wrath of the citizens who use these means of urban transport.
It is important to note that, although the public transport sector is not the only one to suffer the consequences of COVID-19, bearing in mind that companies in general have had to reduce their workforce or even close down, causing major financial losses and serious social consequences for their workers and their families, in the case of taxi drivers, because of the important services they provide to the people and to the workers, the Government went beyond the main demand of the taxi drivers' associations, which were asking for an increase to 75%, having been offered a maximum capacity of 100%.
What happened on Monday was a real act of terror, whose fingerprints left at the crime scene are clearly visible and easily recognisable, and point to the materialisation of a macabre plan of ungovernability through the fomentation of vandalisation of public and private property, incitement to disobedience and rebellion, in an attempt to subvert democratically established power.
On that fateful day, it was worthwhile that the National Police acted with great restraint, and the private individuals and companies directly affected behaved like true patriots, tolerant and responsible.
Dear Compatriots
For future generations, we have the responsibility of preserving for eternity the two greatest conquests of the Angolan people achieved with much sacrifice over time: National Independence and Peace and National Reconciliation.
I strongly appeal to all citizens to refrain from any acts of retaliation. Those who have had their property vandalised, burnt or destroyed, let them not pay for it in the same coin because no one is authorised to take the law into their own hands. Let us hand over this responsibility to Justice and other competent State bodies!
Our police forces are up to the challenge and will guarantee order and security for citizens, institutions and property.
We therefore appeal to all citizens resident in our country, Angolans and foreigners, to go about their professional and family lives normally.
The planned general elections will take place in an environment of complete security for voters and observers in August this year, 2022, as established in the Constitution of the Republic.
In Angola, the only possible and legitimate way to dispute political power is through democratic elections.
Allow me to highlight the prompt manifestation of indignation, repulsion and public condemnation by Angolan society in unison, through representatives of political parties, religious denominations, non-governmental organisations, journalists and opinion-makers, against all those moral authors, mentors, organisers and executors of last Monday's criminal acts.
Thank you for your attention.
