Luanda-The President of the Republic, João Lourenço, reiterated, on Tuesday, in Luanda, his concern with the frequent unconstitutional changes of government in Africa and the impunity of those who do so.
According to the Angolan head of state, such occurrences represent a 'flagrant violation' of the principles defended by the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN).
When speaking at the New Year's greetings ceremony of the Diplomatic Corp, João Lourenço attributed this 'passive and contemplative attitude' to the Africans themselves and to international partners, in the face of facts, 'which encourage and stimulate the repetition and proliferation of this phenomenon, in every capacity reprehensible'.
For the statesman, such phenomena constitute a great danger of a setback in the achievements already achieved in terms of political and social stability necessary for good governance and socioeconomic development in Africa.
He recalled that Angola, upon assuming the temporary presidency of the OEACP, SADC and GIRGL, has been seriously committed to successfully carrying out the tasks that fall within their competences.
He said these are competencies that range from the promotion and preservation of peace, security and stability to the sustainable economic development of the countries that comprise them.
He highlighted that the country has focused its diplomatic action on intensifying bilateral relations between countries, with the aim of building a basis of reciprocal and solid trust that allows for the development of mutually advantageous cooperation.
João Lourenço said he is convinced that the internal achievements achieved by Angola on a material level will have a more lasting and solid sustainability, if all this takes place within the framework of the construction of a democratic State based on the rule of law.
He emphasized that some of the major concerns of the Angolan nation were addressed, which have to do with the fundamental freedoms and guarantees of citizens.
These concerns also have to do with transparency in governance and government proximity, the fight against corruption and impunity, as well as the necessary independence and harmony between the different powers of the State, he said.
“We intend to continue the policies of credibility of State institutions, highlighting the importance of establishing a solid democracy in a prosperous Nation and concerned with the main desires of its citizens”, he highlighted.
Angola welcomes foreign investment
The Angolan head of state expressed interest in welcoming private investment from entrepreneurs from other countries interested in the Angolan market, within the scope of the vast opportunities that the country offers.
“We end the year 2023 with the feeling of having achieved a significant part of our objectives on a political and diplomatic level, as we have seen that the level of importance, we mutually attribute to exchanges between your countries has risen”, he expressed.
Infrastructure construction
In his speech, João Lourenço also highlighted the construction of road, port, airport and energy infrastructures, in relation to the completion of the works on the new Luanda International Airport “António Agostinho Neto”.
He also mentioned the concession of the Lobito corridor to an international consortium, “which will make important investments, in order to guarantee a shorter, safer and cheaper route for trade between the landlocked countries of Central and Southern Africa and the large markets of Europe and of America'.
Alongside the efforts made to attract the attention of its international partners to support development, the country considered the issue of peace, stability and national reconciliation in Africa as an essential component of Angolan diplomacy, he said.
In this regard, he highlighted, in particular, the diplomatic actions carried out in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Central African Republic (CAR), Mozambique and Sudan.
He emphasized that the country has been promoting several initiatives aimed at resolving the conflicts that plague these countries, “where there are encouraging signs that encourage us to continue, until peace and stability are achieved”.
He pointed out that the Angolan Government has also followed the situation in Sudan and the Sahel, without neglecting others that equally generate insecurity and affect, to the same extent, the stability that Africa needs to continue on the path of development. A.D/DOJ
