Day: February 28, 2023

Luanda – An Angolan delegation is attending the conference of the Chiefs of Staff of the African Armed Forces taking place from February 28 to March 2, 2023 in Rome (Italy).

The event is sponsored by the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), under the theme “how our combined resources and requirements affect our reality, reputation and responses”.

The Angolan entourage is led by the Chief of Staff of the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA), Altino Carlos José dos Santos, states a press release from the Institutional Press Office of the Angolan Embassy in Italy, sent this Tuesday to ANGOP.

The forum brings together senior African military leaders who will address, among other issues, the challenges and opportunities for considering general responses and strengthening the relationships that shape the security environment in Africa.

Strengthening partnerships to respond to the challenges of climate change, food insecurity, violent extremist threats and groups seeking to undermine the governance and security will also be in the table at this event.

AFRICOM, in its English acronym, is one of the nine regional unified combat commands of the United States Armed Forces, created in 2007 by the American Department of Defence.

It has its headquarters in Kelley, Stuttgart, Germany, and is responsible for the operations, military and security ties of the United States of America and 53 African countries.

This command coordinates and implements US policies on the African continent in terms of defence and security, with emphasis on preventing and combating terrorism, by strengthening the armies of partner countries in the region.

The Angolan delegation arrived in Rome on Sunday.

The delegation visited the diplomatic missions facilities in the Italian State, where it was received by Ambassador Maria de Fátima Jardim.

The delegation was also received by Ambassador Paulino Baptista, during its visit to the Holy See. OHA

Source: Angola Press News Agency

Geneva – The minister of Justice and Human Rights, Marcy Lopes, said Tuesday in Geneva, Switzerland, that the performance of the Angolan State regarding the maintenance of Human Rights in the country “is based on the highest international standards of protection”.

Speaking in the general debate of the high-level segment of the 52nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council, which runs until Thursday (2) in Geneva, Switzerland, minister Marcy Lopes reminded the more than 100 dignitaries present at the event that the general elections, held on 24 August last year, “were universal, free, fair and transparent, as noted by national and international observers who monitored the process”.

He said that for the first time it was possible for the Angolan citizens living outside the country to vote, as this is an important development with regard to guaranteeing the exercise of citizenship rights.

Marcy Lopes also stated that Angola is in a deep process of global reform, adapting its governmental procedures to international standards in terms of good governance, strengthening of democratic institutions, promotion and protection of Human Rights.

The minister stressed that at a time that the world celebrates the 75 years of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and in view of the recent emergence of the covid-19 pandemic situation “this is an excellent opportunity to reflect on the various dimensions of human rights, their realisation and protection, how the dignity of the human person, freedom and access to justice have been addressed in our countries”.

During his speech, Marcy Lopes highlighted the significant results Angola has recorded, as well as the existing positive dynamic between Angola and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

Ongoing Governmental Actions

Minister Marcy Lopes highlighted some ongoing governmental actions regarding the implementation and effectiveness of Human Rights in Angola, such as the Implementation Plan of the National Strategy of Human Rights, implemented through the local committees of Human Rights.

The list of government actions includes the National Action Plan to Fight Trafficking in Human Beings and the National Action Plan for the Eradication of Child Labour in Angola.

The Angolan Government´s agenda also includes the second edition of the National Human Rights Award, in May this year, which aims at recognising the important initiatives of people and public or private institutions, which have stood out in the promotion, defence and protection of Human Rights.

He also said that the country continues to create a healthier environment for the strengthening of the rule of law, with the generalised feeling of the need to comply with the law, especially by public servants, having the respect for the dignity of the human person as the focus of governmental action.

“Angola has raised human rights to the category of a matter of national security, based on the periodic assessments of the National Security Council, a consultative body of the Head of State. We must continue to ensure that members of Angolan society are increasingly aware of their rights, freedoms and fundamental guarantees, as well as their civic duties and the impact they have on their personal lives and that of the community”, added the minister.

Marcy Lopes reiterated Angola´s support to the Human Rights Council.

“Committed to our tradition of establishing bridges, as well as to the principles that we defend and the commitments that we take up, we’ll promote, in this council, the constructive and inclusive dialogue, considering that the materialization of human rights is an ongoing process, that depends on everyone, so that only collectively can we fulfil it, having always as fundamental guiding principle the people, who are the holders of human rights”, concluded the official.

Source: Angola Press News Agency

Luanda – Angolan minister of Foreign Affairs Téte António received Tuesday in Luanda the credentials of the representative of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in Angola, Custódio Estevão Mucavele.

According to a press note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, sent to ANGOP, with this accreditation, Custódio Mucavele begins his duties as the highest representative of this UN agency, created in 1977 and headquartered in Rome, Italy.

IFAD’s mission is to enable poor rural populations in developing countries to overcome poverty, in addition to promoting the development of rural areas of the peoples of the world, with stress to the agricultural sector.

Since 1978, this fund has provided more than USD 23.2 billion in form of donations and low-interest loans for projects that have benefited an estimated 518 million people.

Its founding treaty was approved by the United Nations Conference for the Creation of an International Fund for Agricultural Development, on June 13, 1976, held in Rome.

The treaty establishing IFAD states that the objective of the Fund is to mobilise additional financial resources to be made available on concessional terms to promote agriculture in developing member states.

Source: Angola Press News Agency

Luanda –Angola and China assessed Tuesday, in Luanda, various cooperation issues and agreements signed between the Southern African country and the Asian state, Angola’s Foreign Affairs Ministry said Tuesday in a statement.

This was discussed during an audience Angola’s secretary of State for International Cooperation and Angolan Communities, Domingos Custódio Vieira Lopes, granted to China ambassador to Angola, Gong Tao.

Various agreements signed have been reviewed, with emphasis on the reciprocal promotion and protection of investments between Angola and China and the operation of the Guiding Committee for economic and trade cooperation, reads the statement.

The meeting discussed the agreements to send the sixth Chinese medical team to Angola and the exchange of notes on narcotics products test labs, the statement adds.

The meeting also discussed the Chinese proposal on zero tariffs for 98% of goods from Angola exported to China, the memorandum of understanding between the two countries’ Agriculture ministries and global development and security initiatives.

Angola’s request for support to the re-election of Qu Dongyu, current Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), whose election takes place in July this year was part of the subjects discussed as well.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of political and diplomatic relations between Angola and China.

Angola is China’s largest trading partner in Africa since 2007.

In Angola, China operates in various areas of economic and social life of the country, with a strong presence in the training of cadres through the construction and equipping of the Integrated Technological Training Center, a Diplomatic Academy and granting of scholarships for young Angolans.

Source: Angola Press News Agency

Luanda – The Attorney General´s Office (PGR) announced on Tuesday, in Luanda, that it has indicted the president of the Audit Court, Exalgina Gamboa.

In a press release issued by the Attorney General’s Office (PGR), ANGOP learned that the charges were brought following an enquiry to verify possible embezzlement, extortion and corruption crimes publicly denounced.

In the same process, Hailé Musapé Vicente da Cruz was also charged with the crimes of extortion and corruption, but he has not been notified because he is outside the country.

PGR reiterates its unwavering commitment to legality and full respect for the fundamental rights of citizens, especially the presumption of innocence enshrined in the constitution of the Republic of Angola.

It appeals, however, to all individual and collective social players for scrupulous consideration such rights.

Source: Angola Press News Agency