Africa-Press – Angola. Statements by Angolan Education Minister Luísa Grilo — who said that “young people who leave Angola due to a lack of social and economic conditions are not needed” — have sparked a wave of criticism, especially from young people in the diaspora.
The minister’s words were considered offensive by several organizations and voices from civil society, who accuse the minister of being insensitive to the reality faced by many young Angolans. Several youth leaders argue that Grilo should publicly retract his statement or even resign from his position.
Among the most vocal critics is Jeovany Ventura, General Coordinator of the Cabinda Activists’ Group (NAC), who stresses that “the country really misses Angolan youth” and that the minister’s speech “should shame the Angolan government”.
Ventura questions the minister’s moral legitimacy, recalling that “she herself is the daughter of an immigrant” and that “any young person who has the opportunity to emigrate will do so”. For him, the decision to leave Angola was not taken lightly, but out of necessity, given the precarious social and economic conditions in the country.
“She herself said this and is the daughter of an immigrant. Her origins are not 100% Angolan. Young people who are abroad, who have emigrated, are indeed needed by the country. Any young person who is offered the opportunity to emigrate will, indeed, do so,” he said.
Lack of opportunities
The reality for many young Angolans, according to Ventura and other youth associations, is marked by closed doors, unemployment, unworthy wages and an environment where criticizing or proposing improvements is a reason for persecution. “No country prohibits its citizens from emigrating. In Angola, there are no conditions for young people to live, unless they are members of the MPLA”, said Ventura.
The criticism is reinforced by several youth organizations, who claim that the real problem is not the young people who leave, but rather the lack of effective public policies that guarantee them a dignified future in the country.
An alarm signal
Samuel Massiala, 1st Provincial Secretary for Youth of the FNLA (JFNLA) in Cabinda, regretted the minister’s position and said that “young Angolans who leave the country do not do so for lack of patriotism, but because they feel safer and more valued abroad.”
Massiala calls on the government to see this trend as an opportunity to reform the country and improve living conditions: “It should be an occasion to create more jobs, housing opportunities and improvements in health.”
Contradiction with presidential speech
The Education Minister’s statements contrast with the recent position of the President of the Republic, João Lourenço, who stated that he wanted to count on the support of Angolans in the diaspora. Several young people regret that the diaspora is only valued during election periods.
Following the controversy, a group of civil society citizens — including lawyers, academics, activists and youth representatives inside and outside Angola — demanded the immediate resignation of Minister Luísa Grilo.
Social analyst Paulo Neves considered the statement an offense to the nation:
“It is an offense to the nation and to Angolan citizens. In a normal country, the minister should apologize and resign the next day,” he concluded.
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