Menongue – The implementation of Law nº 14/24, of 5 September, which approves the new Political-Administrative Division, constituted a historic milestone for the multifaceted development of the Cuando region, one of the most affected by the armed conflict that lasted 27 years in the country.

By Maurício Sequesseque Mangala, ANGOP Journalist

The Law led to the birth of a new territorial unit, the province of Cuando, resulting from the dismemberment of Cuando Cubango, and which now has nine municipalities, Mavinga (capital), Cuito Cuanavale, Dima, Luengue, Dirico, Mucusso, Rivungo , Xipundo and Luiana.

Cuando becomes the second largest province in Angola, after Moxico, with a territorial extension of 128 thousand square kilometers and, paradoxically, the least populated.

Its population is estimated at 116,204 inhabitants, according to data from the 2014 General Population and Housing Census, numbers that will be changed after the release of the definitive data from the 2024 Census.

From the point of view of the territorial space/population ratio (128,000/116,204), the province has a population density of one person per square kilometer with enormous dispersion, making it common to travel enormous distances without encountering villages or people.

With the entry into force of the new DPA and the consequent appointment, for the first time, of a governor to 'command the political and administrative machine' of the region, a region with shorter distances, greater territorial and administrative autonomy, is on the horizon. with a focus on decision-making and execution of projects that contribute to the well-being of populations and open paths for development.

The challenges are well known and involve the opening of both paved and paved roads, as currently trips are carried out exclusively by off-road vehicles or trucks.

For example, from the municipality of Cuito Cuanavale to Mavinga, a journey of 200 kilometers, the journey takes 15 hours, whereas, if it were paved, it is estimated that it would take around five hours, and, if paved, the The journey would only take two or three hours.

Traveling through the province of Cuando still seems like a true act of resilience and a lot of experience behind the wheel, as, in addition to the lack of roads, the terrain is extremely hot and sandy.

So far, Cuando leads the so-called difficult to access, therefore hidden, areas.

Network and satellite communication services do not work, as do radio, television repeater signals and other modern means of communication.

Biodiversity Sanctuary waiting for investments

The province of Cuando represents a true sanctuary of Angolan biodiversity and is considered a “green lung” of the eastern region, judging by the enormous extension of the flora accommodated in the Luengue/Luiana National Parks, which occupy an area of ​​22 thousand 610 square kilometers.

In addition to the diversity of plants and animals, many of which are rare and on the verge of extinction, the province confirms the presence of the five heaviest animals in the world, such as Elephants, Rhinos, Buffaloes, Hippos and Zebras.

Cuando represents the entire Angolan component of the Okavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA) project, the largest cross-border tourist project in the world which, in addition to Angola, includes the republics of Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The objective of the project is to sustainably manage the Kavango Zambezi ecosystem, its heritage and cultural resources, based on the best conservation and tourism models for the socioeconomic well-being of communities and other stakeholders around the eco-region, through harmonization of policies, strategies and practices between member states.

Among the various tourist attractions catalogued, the highlight is the Binório region, in the municipality of Luiana, as well as the point of confluence between the Cubango and Cuito rivers, in the municipality of Dirico, a “hymn” to tourism for its rare beauty.

The Cuito River, for example, has already hosted two consecutive editions of the International Sport Fishing Competition, in 2023 and 2024, in which most of the competitors were Namibians and South Africans. Angola only had one team.

Another tourist and sporting activity of great impact in this region was the first edition of Raid Okavango 2024, which left clear evidence of the possibility of greater use of existing tourist potential.

During the event, promoted by the National Agency for Investment in the Angolan Okavango Region (ANAGERO), participants had the opportunity to go boating on the Cuito and Cubango rivers, as well as observe and photograph the region's animals.

During the event, promoted by the National Agency for Investment in the Angolan Okavango Region (ANAGERO), participants had the opportunity to go boating on the Cuito and Cubango rivers, as well as observe and photograph the region's animals.

There is no doubt that the region has everything to succeed in terms of transforming all existing potential into wealth and development. To this end, all resources in terms of marketing, advertising and above all the opening of access roads must be in the line of priorities for the different actors in the known “peace industry”.

Mavinga – Economic potential and many challenges

The municipality of Mavinga, capital of Cuando, despite being potentially rich in natural and mineral resources, faces a multitude of challenges that will require determination from its residents to build a town at the level of contemporary capitals.

With a territorial extension of 44 thousand 347 square kilometers and a population of more than 32 thousand inhabitants, according to data from the 2014 Census, it needs almost everything, mainly road infrastructure for its effective connection and communication with other municipalities and provinces of the country.

According to the municipality's report, the district is devoid of economic infrastructure capable of generating income and employment for the population, even though it is considered potentially rich in mineral resources such as quartz, iron, diamonds, silver, mercury, gold, copper , uranium, rubber, among others.

Of all the resources, according to the document, diamond is the only one that has been explored, although its results have not impacted the municipality's economic balance, due to the fact that many explorers are illegal, commonly called “miners”.

Regarding the primary sector, specifically in the area of ​​agriculture, as the report attests, the municipality has arable land for the cultivation of corn, cassava, massango, sweet potatoes, beans and vegetables, the cultivation of which has been ensured by peasant associations and families, but in a very rudimentary way and dependent on rain.

As for forest resources, the municipality is rich in species such as “pau-ferro”, mussivi, girassonde, mupanda and mumué, while its fauna includes animals such as the real sable, sable, elephant, hippopotamus, nguelengue, ngunga , lion, leopard, hyena, jaguar, wild boar, maned crocodile, porcupine, buffalo, kangaroo, nunce, wild dog, impale, ostrich, pacaça, among others.

From a tourism point of view, the highlights in the municipality, according to the publication, are the Capembe River Falls, the Tchitengue Park, the Lomba River Falls, the Luengue Park, as well as the Kunjamba-Dima Evangelical Mission.

Regarding territorial planning and housing, the municipality only has 35 social housing units, of which 14 are in the municipal headquarters, 10 in Licua and seven in Cunjamba.

Young people applaud new DPA

Regarding the implementation of the new Political-Administrative Division (DPA), academic Adriano Lucas considered that it will serve as an anchor for the sustainable development of the targeted regions, as well as for the well-being of the populations, as it will allow the reduction of distances and a significant rapprochement of public services.

The executive municipal secretary of the Menongue National Youth Council expressed optimism about the expected results, taking into account the various sectors in which it will affect.

He highlighted that, particularly in the economic sphere, the DPA will generate development in the localities covered, with greater emphasis on the province of Cuando, with benefits ranging from the constitution of a new organic governmental unit, with a budget to be defined according to concerns, adding capacity not only in families, but also in economic agents.

Regarding the social sphere of the new DPA, young Margarida Calupassa believes that it opens up new employment opportunities for many, in a more inclusive process, so that all citizens feel part of the desired development process.

In the administrative political chapter, he highlighted the expansion and action of political parties with seats in parliament, the installation and creation of governmental and non-governmental organizations, both international and local, which will have an opportunity to extend their philanthropic activities and beyond.

In turn, Mendes Lote thinks that infrastructures are also a point of extreme importance and for greater allocation, since in order to create a new province it is necessary to have primary support infrastructures with established social services, such as be it roads, government support buildings and municipal administrations, schools and universities, to address regional asymmetries.

The young man hopes for the accentuated, fast and pragmatic materialization of the construction of the national road that connects the municipality of Cuito Cuanavale to Mavinga, to reduce distances and strengthen direct and indirect employability, adding that individuals of his generation are expectant and willing to contribute to the materialization of their desires.

With all the nuances pointed out, it can be seen that Cuando has everything to start assertively and effectively, through appropriate diagnoses, detailed consultation of its citizens, and the preparation and implementation of master plans. MSM/FF/ADR/DOJ