Luanda: Angolan Minister of Foreign Affairs T©te Ant³nio reaffirmed on Tuesday the country's commitment to the ideals of Pan-Africanism, peace, and sustainable development of the continent. Speaking at the ceremony within the framework of the celebrations of the 63rd anniversary of Africa Day, which was celebrated on the 25th of this month, T©te Ant³nio highlighted the importance of celebrating the African continent in a challenging geopolitical context.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the minister emphasized the need to strengthen cooperation between African States and the implementation of the African Union's Agenda 2063. He stated that, regardless of current difficulties, Africa must continue to assert itself as a strong, dynamic, young, and creative continent, capable of making its sons and daughters proud, as was idealized by the founding fathers of Pan-Africanism.
The minister also recalled that Angola marks, this year, 50 years since its admission as a full member of the then Organization of African Unity (OAU), which took place on February 12, 1976. He highlighted the fact that Angola will assume, in 2025, the rotating Presidency of the African Union, reiterating the country's commitment to contributing to achieving the objectives of Agenda 2063.
T©te Ant³nio paid tribute to the Africans who fought against slavery and colonialism, welcoming the resolution adopted this year by the United Nations General Assembly that recognizes slavery as a crime against humanity and defends the restoration of dignity to African peoples. He also thanked the support given by African ambassadors during the Angolan mandate as leader of the African Union, especially within the scope of the various high-level events held in the country.
In the field of development, the minister highlighted the need for greater investments in the water and sanitation sector, a theme chosen by the African Union for 2026. He noted that access to drinking water and adequate sanitation represents not only a technical challenge but a political and moral commitment to the African people.
T©te Ant³nio reaffirmed that Angola remains committed to the institutional objectives of the African Union, even after the end of the rotating presidency, highlighting that the country recently assumed leadership of the AUDA-NEPAD Heads of State Orientation Committee. He reiterated Angola's commitment to continue working with African and international partners to build a stable, prosperous, and peaceful Africa, calling for reflection on the paths necessary to achieve 'the Africa we desire and deserve'.
