Cuito - The Minister of National Defense, Former Combatants and Veterans of the Homeland, João Ernesto dos Santos on Thursday said the monthly pension of those assisted by the Ministry he leads will soon be increased.

The minister made the statement during a meeting with former combatants, veterans of the homeland, widows, orphans and ancestors from Bié, as part of  the celebrations of the Day of the Expansion of the Armed Struggle for National Liberation to be marked on March 15

According to the minister, the increase in the pension only awaits the approval of the president,João Lourenço.

"That's why I want to reassure you that this measure will take effect at any moment, as soon as the proposal is approved by the Head of the Executive Power," said the minister, assuring that the technical teams have done their due work.

Without revealing the expected rate of the next pension, the minister said the intention is part of the strategy to improve the living conditions of those being assisted and their dependents, in recognition of the efforts made during the struggle to liberate Angola from colonial rule.

The monthly pension to those receiving assistance is currently set at 23,000 kwanzas.

March 15, 1961 was established on August 10, 2018, following the approval by the Angolan Parliament of the Bill to Amend the Law on National and Local Holidays and Dates of National Celebration.

The event serves as a reminder of the attacks perpetrated by Angolans linked to the embryo of the Union of the Peoples of Angola (UPA) in the north of the country.

The 63rd anniversary takes place under the slogan "March 15, 1961 - Former combatants, living symbol of a historic past". VKY/PLB/AMP