Africa-Press – Angola. The provincial governor, Ernesto Muangala, highlighted, this Monday, in Luena, that the cooperation between the provinces of Moxco (Angola) and Oeste (Zambia) results from historical relations and “indestructible friendship” between brotherly peoples.
Ernesto Muangala made these statements during a courtesy meeting with his counterpart from the Western province, Kapelwa Mbangweta, who arrived in Luena to participate, in the next three days, in the 2nd session of Regional Cooperation and Cultural Exchange Moxico/Occidental.
For Ernesto Muangala, these “historical and blood” relations between the two brotherly peoples were reinforced with the visit, in January of that year, of the President of the Republic of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema, at the invitation of his Angolan counterpart, João Lourenço.
“Our relations with the Republic of Zambia are historical and blood, and come from the ancestors since the peoples’ struggle for their self-determination and independence”, recalled Ernesto Muanga.
In turn, the minister (governor) of the Western province of the Republic of Zambia, Kapelwa Mbangweta, in his speech, said he was in Luena to give continuity to the agreements signed in the city of Mongu, capital of the Western province, during the 1st session of Regional cooperation and Cultural Exchange.
Kapelwa Mbangweta, who before the courtesy meeting laid a wreath at the Peace Monument, hopes that the visit will consolidate the bilateral ties between the two countries, characterized by brotherhood, fraternity and common spirit.
The historic relations between Angola and Zambia gained new impetus with the signing, last January, of six legal instruments, including the memorandum of understanding between the governments of the two countries for the construction of “border connection roads”, on the Jimbe, Mwene Lunga and Mapelenga (Malundo-Sikongo).
An instrument that, if implemented, will facilitate the movement of
people and goods from both countries.
Regarding the “Memorandum of Mongu”, both governors had assumed several commitments, highlighting, for example, in the health sector, the intention to establish a system of communication and referral between the health systems of Moxico and the western province.
At a time when more than 3,000 Angolans are seeking health services in that Zambian province every month, the cooperation will allow for malaria control among the population in border areas, management of medicines, essential products and professional exchange programmes.
As for education, Moxico intends to reap the experience of Zambia to better explore the Instituto Técnico Agrário (ITAL), operating in the municipality of Luau, in addition to the technologies used to promote agriculture.
In terms of trade, on the Angolan side, the idea is to boost the agro-food sector, to promote employability and income generation, while the Western province will be able to export the products produced, from dairy products, agricultural inputs, as well as technology used in cereal production.
Issues of security, trade, tourism, gender equality, among other sectors, are also included in the “Mongu Memorandum”.
The provinces of Moxico and Western Zambia have a historical and geographical relationship that dates back to the Struggle for National Independence, sharing an extensive common border and cultural and linguistic affinities.
The current cooperation between the two provinces, whose countries are members of the Community for the Development of Southern Africa (SADC, acronym in English), aims to strengthen the bonds of friendship and solidarity between the two peoples, as well as to promote the social and economic development of the region.
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