Africa-Press – Angola. The gates of Praça da República, in Luanda, literally opened at 7:30 am, yesterday to welcome the thousands of guests who witnessed the investiture ceremony of President João Lourenço and Vice-President Esperança da Costa.
Despite the scorching sun and the heat that was felt, even after the “small” rain that fell on some areas of the capital in the early hours of the day, the people were not inhibited and filled the square, exceeding the expectations of more than 15 thousand citizens who were expected to act.
The red colors on the facade of the Memorial and the designation of the 18 provinces in white letters completed the scene.
To the sound of the Music Band and the troops in parade (military honours), the Head of State João Lourenço was received with applause and the waving of hats of various colors and miniature flags, in a gesture of showing empathy and support for the President for the new challenges of the next five years.
Flanked by the First Lady of the Republic, Ana Dias Lourenço, the public had the opportunity to follow every moment of the presidential couple, from the departure of the Palácio da Cidade Alta to Praça da República, through giant screens arranged in the precinct.
With his right hand on the Constitution of the Republic, under the watchful eye of several Heads of State and Government, foreign guests, the Supreme Court of the Judiciary and the people, João Lourenço promised to defend Angolans without distinction, having reaffirmed his commitment with peace and national security, territorial integrity and enforcing the Constitution of the Republic and the laws of the country.
The investiture took place on the same day that the first rain of September took place in Luanda, which according to the voices of the elders means a beginning of blessings and a good sign for the new phase of João Lourenço’s governance.
“Lourenço, friend, the people are with you… the Leader”, were some voices that were heard from those present in a demonstration of support and sympathy for the President-elect in the elections of 24 August. Such was the insistence that, in response to the affection, the Head of State got up and waved for long seconds, in a gesture that delighted those present even more.
After being invested, João Lourenço received congratulations from the venerable judge of the Constitutional Court, Laurinda Cardoso, from the Vice-President of the Republic, Esperança da Costa, and from the outgoing Vice-President, Bornito de Sousa, and from his wife, Ana Dias Lourenço, who made a point of embracing the Head of State, in a moment of emotion that involved the audience, which cheered with whistles and rounds of applause.
Among the citizens who did not have an invitation to follow the investiture closely, our lens captured the image of hundreds of young people and adults who followed the act from a distance, through the barred gate of the António Agostinho Neto Memorial, on the right side that leads access to Parliament.
The 8 screens mounted in Praça da República served to better illustrate the environment and the scene in the place, especially for those who did not have the opportunity to sit in a prominent place, to see the leader up close. One of the moments that made the spectators cheer was when the First Lady of the Republic, Ana Dias Lourenço, congratulated her husband with a hug and a stamp, which triggered whistles and applause, and a voice in the background that said: “that’s right we like”, leading some spectators to not contain their laughter. Among the “guests” without a formal invitation, our lens also captured the image of hundreds of young people and adults who watched from a distance each unique moment of the investiture ceremony of the “President of all Angolans”, through the barred gate of the Square that separated between the enclosure and the street.
Militar parade
The parade of the Order and Security forces was one of the most outstanding moments of the ceremony, having started with the integration of the FAA Music Band standard, followed by the moment when the Chief of Staff General of the Angolan Armed Forces, Egídio de Sousa and Santos, confirmed to the Head of State, João Lourenço, the readiness of the forces for the start of the procession.
From the more than one hour parade, the Defense and Security forces, divided into 17 blocks, presented the means of the three branches of the Angolan Armed Forces (Army, Air Force and Navy) and the National Police. The act aimed to show the state of organization and discipline of the Defense and Security forces.
With their faces turned to the Commander-in-Chief of the FAA as a sign of salute, the women’s block of the Instituto Superior Técnico Militar (ISTM), composed of future nurses and engineers from the FAA, the block of the Special Forces, Air Force, Marines, Reaction and Patrol Unit (URP), Border Guard and FAA commands, as well as the Rapid Intervention Police (PIR), Canine Police and Cavalry.
In the final stretch of the air parade, three Chinese-made “Fighter model k8w” planes released smoke with the colors of the National Flag, which left those present thrilled. With each maneuver, the small planes marked part of the Praça da República sky, in a true rainbow.
Among the colors, yellow, blue and red stood out. Typical of a good Angolan, who doesn’t miss the opportunity to relax, some citizens, noticing the vibrant colors, with a hint of humor, shouted “Petro, Petro”, because colors like yellow and blue remind us of Atlético Petróleos de Luanda, a moment that drew loud laughter from the crowd.
Among the various means of weaponry and technique, vehicles from the special forces brigade, armored transporters, the Casper 2000, “God of War”, a land monster, cannons, tank carriers and a real-time parade were presented during the parade. of the Navy with BM21, Uragan, means of medical and technical assurance.
At the end of the act, 21 cannon salutes were launched and the National Anthem was sung by the FAA Music Band.
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