Luanda: Angolan President Joo Louren§o on Tuesday presided over the central event of the commemorations of the 50th anniversary of National Independence, celebrated under the motto of peace, reconciliation, and progress. In a message delivered before Heads of State and Government, foreign delegations, and high national entities, the Head of State highlighted Angola's historical journey from the proclamation of independence by Ant³nio Agostinho Neto in 1975 to the current phase of consolidation of peace and development.
According to Angola Press News Agency, Joo Louren§o recalled the 'difficult moments' experienced during the Cold War, the fight against the Apartheid regime, and the 27-year long internal armed conflict, stressing that 'the peace achieved in 2002 paved the way for national reconstruction and reconciliation among Angolans'. The President praised the role of Jos© Eduardo dos Santos in defeating Apartheid and reaffirmed the Government's commitment to eradicating poverty, combating inequalities, and strengthening the national economy.
'We need to work together to consolidate our economy and guarantee the well-being of everyone', he appealed. Among the priorities highlighted, Louren§o mentioned the fight against hunger, the rehabilitation of infrastructure, investment in education, health, and energy, and the goal of declaring Angola 'mine-free in the next two years'.
The Head of State also highlighted the strategic importance of the Lobito Corridor, which he classified as 'a gigantic hub of regional development' with the potential to transform the economy of the country and Southern Africa. At the international level, the President reaffirmed Angola's commitment to peace and multilateralism, defending the end of the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, the creation of the State of Palestine, and the reform of the United Nations Security Council.
He also expressed concern about instability in the Sahel, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the resurgence of coups d'©tat in Africa. Regarding climate change, he said that Angola is committed to producing clean energy and reiterated the country's commitment to environmental sustainability.
In the final part of the intervention, Joo Louren§o appealed to the unity of Angolans, warning that 'Let us not let partisan disputes consume our energy. Progress depends on the joint effort of the entire society. Let's work harder and better to make Angola grow.' The event, which saw broad national and international participation, marked a historic moment in which Angola, for the first time, celebrated its independence as acting President of the African Union, reinforcing the country's role in defending peace, integration, and development on the continent.
