Africa-Press – Angola. Angolan President João Lourenço, awarded the Commemorative Medal of the 50th Anniversary of National Independence, in the Honor Class, to the former Head of State, José Eduardo dos Santos, and to a group of foreign statesmen who contributed to the achievement of National Independence, the achievement of Peace, and the development of Angola.
According to a statement from the Press Service of the Presidency of the Republic released on Sunday, the distinction is part of the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of National Independence and complies with the provisions of Law No. 2/25 of March 18, which establishes the Commemorative Medal commemorating the anniversary. The award ceremony, to be held on November 6th in Luanda, is part of the preparatory activities for the central event of November 11th, which will take place at Republic Square in Luanda, under the motto “50 Years of Independence: Unity, Development, and Progress.”
Among those honored in the Class of Honor, in addition to former President José Eduardo dos Santos, are African, European, Asian, and American leaders who distinguished themselves for their solidarity and diplomatic role during the liberation struggle and the national reconstruction process.
Among those honored are names such as Nelson Mandela (South Africa), Fidel Castro (Cuba), Kwame Nkrumah (Ghana), Julius Nyerere (Tanzania), Josip Broz Tito (former Yugoslavia), Bill Clinton (USA), Aníbal Cavaco Silva (Portugal), Xi Jinping (China), Denis Sassou Nguesso (Congo), Pope Paul VI (Vatican), Ernesto Geisel (Brazil), among others.
According to the presidential decree, the distinctions cover three categories: Class of Honor, Class of Independence, and Class of Peace and Development, and aim to recognize national and foreign personalities whose actions were decisive in affirming Angola’s sovereignty, consolidating peace, and fostering the country’s socioeconomic progress. The Independence Class honors figures who directly participated in the liberation struggle and the Alvor Agreement, including António Agostinho Neto, Álvaro Holden Roberto, and Jonas Malheiro Savimbi, as well as Angolan and foreign nationalists, clergy, diplomats, and combatants.
The Peace and Development Class honors individuals and institutions that, over the past decades, have contributed to national reconciliation, economic, social, and cultural development, and Angola’s international prominence.
Among them are António Domingos Pitra Costa Neto, for his dedication to public service and the strengthening of democratic institutions; Dom Gabriel Mbilingi, for his role in mediating and promoting peace; and Frederico Manuel dos Santos e Silva Cardoso, for his contribution to the political reform process.
The list also includes Soraya da Piedade, a leading figure in the promotion of entrepreneurship and innovation; Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations and a symbol of diplomacy and global stability; and Margareth Anstee, former UN representative in Angola, whose work was decisive in the peace process and national reconstruction.
The awards, which will reach 188 individuals in this eighth phase, represent a gesture of recognition and gratitude from the Angolan nation to those who, both within and outside the country, fought for the freedom, peace, and dignity of the Angolan people.
Since the beginning of the awards process last April, the process has recognized 4,508 individuals in seven stages.
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