Luanda - Angolan president João Lourenço left Windhoek on Friday after attending the inauguration ceremony of Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.
Several personalities from Africa and other parts of the world, including presidents, heads of government, former heads of state and first ladies, accompanied the inauguration of the first woman to lead the country.
The inauguration was preceded by a few speeches and the only guest to speak was the President of Tanzania, Samia Siluhu Hassan.
In a toast during the lunch offered to the guests by President Netumbo, João Lourenço expressed his confidence in the success of his counterpart's government.
Lourenço said he believes that under the leadership of Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Namibia will become a more developed and united country.
"I would therefore like to thank you for raising all the glasses," João Lourenço asked, having considering it an honor and a privilege to be nominated to propose a toast.
The privilege I have been given, Lourenço said, has less to do with the fact that I am, in this case, the incumbent chairman of the African Union, than with the strong ties that bind the Angolan and Namibian peoples.
"These ties were forged during our common struggle, for our freedom, for our dignity, against those who oppressed us and who were therefore defeated as a result of our struggle," said the Angolan President.
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, will be the first woman to lead the country and the fifth head of state since independence in 1990.
The two countries have cooperated in various fields and have signed more than 40 agreements and memoranda of understanding. ART/DAN/AMP
