Luanda – President João Lourenço on Wednesday praised the bravery and sacrifice made by the Angolan people to achieve and preserve national independence.
Speaking at the opening of the meeting of the Council of the Republic, the president said the proclamation of national independence represented not only the conquest of freedom, ‘but above all the conquest of our dignity as human beings equal to those who thought they were superior to us’.
João Lourenço said the date represents the definitive end of colonialism, slavery, deportation to the Americas, colonial repression, racism ‘and all kinds of discrimination to which we were subjected for five centuries and the plundering of our resources’.
The President added that during these 50 years of national independence to be marked on November 11, there has been a long period of conflict fomented by the colonizing powers, ‘in a vain attempt to reverse the course of history’.
Lourenço emphasized that, with a lot of sacrifice but also wisdom, the 27 long years of external invasion and the internal conflict between Angolans themselves came to an end.
‘We have conquered peace and we are building a homeland of reconciled brothers, who have been able to forgive each other so that together we can build a prosperous and developed Angola in favor of the collective well-being of its citizens,’ he concluded.
The draft program for the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of national independence was examined by the members of the Council of the Republic
It includes political, cultural, religious and sporting activities, the inauguration of infrastructures, among others.
The aforementioned memorandum defines the general objective of ‘Angola 50 Years of Independence’ as preparing a dignified celebration of the date and highlighting the main achievements made during this period, as well as looking to the future of the country, in the light of the long-term Development Strategy ‘Angola 2050’.
The general motto, designed to galvanize the celebrations is ‘Angola 50 years: preserving and valuing the achievements made, building a better future’.
The celebrations will take place from November 11 2024 to December 31, with the main event taking place in Luanda. DC/ART/DAN/AMP
