Africa-Press – Angola. Religious leaders said that Angola is experiencing difficult times of poverty and misery, calling on citizens to be civil and civil in their “just demands,” and arguing that authorities should promote dialogue and not ignore the population’s distress.
“We are following with some apprehension the evolution of the vandalism situation that, since yesterday [Monday], broke out in our capital [Luanda].
It is true that we are living through very difficult times of poverty and misery in our country, but we cannot take advantage of this occasion to vandalize and destroy everything that we have built with great sacrifice,” said Angolan Catholic Archbishop José Manuel Imbamba
Speaking to Emissora Católica de Angola, regarding the episodes of vandalism and violence that have been recorded since Monday in Luanda, following the taxi drivers’ strike, José Manuel Imbamba, also president of the Episcopal Conference of Angola and São Tomé (CEAST), called for civility and dialogue.
He asked young people to exercise restraint, “so that civility speaks louder and dialogue continues” between Angolans and their institutions, also highlighting the need for greater humility and serenity to approach and face “problems without animosity that destroys everything” that has already been built.
“I implore God to pour out his blessings on all of us so that we can be more inclusive, work together, and build our dreams based on solidarity, development, respect, and human dignity,” concluded the CEAST leader.
The taxi drivers’ strike, called by the industry associations, is now in its second day, marked by looting, barricades, ransacking of commercial establishments and acts of violence, actions already condemned by the authorities and other civil society actors.
The Islamic Council of Angola (CONSIA), in a statement released, advises the population to be guided by civility, civility and order in demanding their rights, “which are fair”, stating that striking is a right exercised based on the rules in force in the country.
He urges the Angolan authorities to prioritize dialogue and consultation with the protest organizers in order to hear the people’s outcry and “not ignore the signs of frustration and exhaustion among the population.”
In this statement, signed by its president, Altino da Conceição Miguel, CONSIA also asks Muslim believers to exercise caution and exercise restraint in their actions, as well as to be vigilant in their homes, mosques, and workplaces.
At least four people have died and more than 500 have been arrested following protests that began Monday in Luanda, according to what was announced by the spokesman for the General Command of the Angolan Police, Mateus Rodrigues.
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