Luanda – The Head of State, João Lourenço, reaffirmed Thursday in Lunda the Angolan government’s commitment to national development, as well as to world peace and security.
While speaking at the new year's greetings ceremony to the diplomatic corps, João Lourenço said that in the last few years Angola has been implementing reforms aiming to guarantee citizens' fundamental freedoms, bureaucracy reduction in the public service, corruption and impunity fight, the diversification of the economy, promotion of domestic production of goods and services, reduction of imports related to essential consumer goods and increase of exports, as well as the creation of more jobs.
The President and head of the Angolan Executive praised the creation of a new business environment and the success of the cooperation with the World Bank (WB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which increased Angola´s credibility with international creditors.
João Lourenço stated that the success that has been achieved was due to the clarification of the role of the state in the economy, the valorisation of the private sector, privatisation of state assets and investments in infrastructure for the production and distribution of energy and water, roads, railways, ports and airports as well as the attention given to the social sector with the construction of important hospitals, educational and university units, therefore, several professionals were employed in the mentioned sectors.
He also noted the fight against drought and poverty in the southern part of the country, the promotion of entrepreneurship, professional training of young people and distribution of free professional kits.
Diplomacy
The president said the Angolan diplomacy with other international players has provided an important role for the mediation and resolution of conflicts through dialogue in the Great Lakes region, in Central Africa and in the Southern African Development Countries (SADC).
He said that mandated by African Union, with the participation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Angola is working in making efforts to pacify the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), adding that Angolan mediation also aimed to re-establish friendly and good neighbourly relations between the DRC and Rwanda.
According to João Lourenço, in the SADC framework, Angola contributes to the projection of force and means in the collective efforts to fight terrorism and pacification of Cabo Delgado, Mozambique.
The statesman welcomed the efforts by West African States (ECOWAS) to restore constitutional normality, which had been damaged in some African states, such as Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso.
Coup attempt in Brazil
As acting chairman of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), João Lourenço condemned the assault on Brazilian institutions, namely the Congress, the presidential palace and the Supreme Court on Sunday.
He considered it an attempt to overturn the constitutional order and the legitimacy of the power democratically provided at the ballot box in Brazil.
To the Angolan statesman, “in those Sunday hours, Brazilian democracy experienced moments of great danger and uncertainty because of the fact that events could have evolved into a coup d'état”.
US-Africa Summit
João Lourenço considered the United States and Africa Summit a victory for the African continent, in view of assurances of representation at the G-20 and gaining a permanent seat as a member of the UN Security Council.
He added that such achievements are the recognition of how much Africa contributed to the growth and development of the great powers economies and how much it can still give to the world economy, science, culture, sports and world peace and security; however, he believes that the African representative in the Security Council will be fair and the body will assess better the geopolitical, economy and demographic reality of the 21st century.
Ukraine cease-fire
President Lourenço called for the establishment of a definitive and unconditional ceasefire by Russia in the war against Ukraine.
He stated that the cessation of hostilities would help create the necessary negotiation environment between the parties involved, which would lead to the construction of a solid and lasting peace in the European continent.
To the Angolan statesman, today´s reality contrasts with the status and prestige gained by Russia - alongside allies USA, UK and France – in having freed Europe and the world from the Nazi threat.
To João Lourenço, the war against Ukraine represents a serious threat to peace and global security, causing the biggest energy crisis after World War II, which ended in 1945.
