Luanda - The governments of Angola and the United States of America (USA) on Wednesday in Luanda launched the Support Programme for Political Parties for a Resilient and Inclusive Democracy (PROPRID), which is expected to benefit 164 SADC political formations.
The objective is to contribute to strengthening the democratic governance process in the region.
The program financed by the USA, through the Agency for International Development (USAID), totaling 10 million dollars, will be developed in seven countries, namely Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia and South Africa, over a period of five years of execution.
The initiative, which has a partnership with the Democracy Works Foundation (DWF), also aims to promote representative multi-party systems, as well as empower political parties by promoting networks among the region's leaders, mutual learning and debates on cross-border policies.
Speaking at the launch of the program, the charge d'affaires of the US embassy in Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe, Mary Emma Arnold, said that this action demonstrates the American Government's commitment to supporting strong and vibrant political parties, as, as institutions , are the pillars of a successful democratic system.
She explained that PROPRID follows the implementation of the Dialogue Program for Political Parties in Southern Africa, which ended in 2023.
She made it known that, within the scope of the previous program, approximately one thousand people were trained, including women from political parties, in electoral legal matters, digital technology, strategic planning, relevant topics in the work of obtaining more effective results for Angolan citizens.
According to her, PROPRID will focus on supporting political parties in the region through inter-party dialogue specific to each country, regional inter-party dialogue and direct assistance to strengthen parties.
In turn, the secretary of the Political Bureau of the MPLA Central Committee for Staff Policy, Ângela Bragança, said that the party's presence reflects its commitment to building, strengthening and innovating democracy in Angola and the region.
She reiterated the organization's firm willingness to participate in similar initiatives, share visions and experiences, work hard and develop collaborative strategies leading to improving the functioning and quality of democracy.
In turn, UNITA's secretary for electoral affairs, Faustino Mumbica, highlighted the results achieved with the Dialogue Program for Southern African Political Parties, which allowed the absorption of matters linked to the emancipation of young people and women, which privilege merit and safeguard social inclusion, as well as forcing balance in public policies.
The president of the PRS, Benedito Daniel, praised the initiative, because it will bring dialogue between national and regional political parties, as well as make them resilient so they can consolidate their programs. MGM/ART/DOJ
