Luanda – Angolan President João Lourenço on Monday asked the new Minister of the Interior, Manuel Homem, to exercise his role “without any kind of complex or fear of the uniform”.
The Head of the Executive Branch was speaking at the inauguration ceremony of four new members of the Government recently appointed by Presidential Decrees.
João Lourenço said he trusts in the abilities of Manuel Homem who, despite being a civilian, “will make a good Minister of the Interior”. “We decided to break with tradition by appointing a civilian Minister of the Interior, but I would like to ask him not to be afraid of the uniform, strength does not lie in the uniform, strength lies in the intelligence and determination of men”, he said.
Manuel Homem, former governor of Luanda, replaces General Eugénio Laborinho in the position.
The President of the Republic also swore in the governors of the provinces of Luanda, Manuel Nunes, Benguela, Manuel Nunes Júnior, the Secretary of State for Administration, Finance and Heritage of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Osvaldo Varela, and the Secretary of State for Human Rights and Citizenship of the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, Antónia da Cruz Yaba.
The Head of State recommended that the new governor of Luanda continue the work of his predecessor to improve basic sanitation and the supply of drinking water to the capital city.
Likewise, João Lourenço asked the new governor of Benguela to pay special attention to the areas of salt production, fishing and agriculture.
In this regard, he highlighted the importance of the Lobito Corridor due to the size of that infrastructure in the national and international context.
The President of the Republic urged the Secretary of State for Administration, Finance and Heritage of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to exercise greater control over the vast assets of the sector spread throughout the world, especially the real estate used by diplomatic and consular missions.
He stressed that this heritage must be better managed so that it can serve the missions and the country properly.
"We will fight against the degradation of this infrastructure and seek to make the best possible use of it." Speaking to the Human Rights and Citizenship Department of the Ministry of Justice, the Head of State stressed that the sector has always been a concern for the Executive, given that the country has experienced a prolonged and devastating war.
He noted that the defense of human rights in a situation of peace and reconciliation among Angolans must receive due attention. AFL/DC/LUZ/TED/DOJ
