Africa-Press – Angola. The activities carried out by the President of the Republic, João Lourenço, with emphasis on participation in the Extraordinary SADC Summit on the cholera outbreak, marked the political news over the last seven days.
When speaking at the opening of the Extraordinary Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), on the cholera outbreak in some countries in the region, the Head of State and acting president of the organization, highlighted the solidarity and joint action between the countries of community as essential to prevent and control the spread of the cholera outbreak in the region.
According to President João Lourenço, this public health crisis represents a serious threat to sustainable development and the well-being of populations.
Since January 2023, the SADC region has been plagued by a cholera outbreak, with cases recorded, until last Sunday, in five countries (Botswana, South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
At this critical moment, he declared, “we must recognize the urgency in our response and the need for coordinated and effective action, as cholera knows no borders and requires a regional approach to confront it.”
During the week, the President of the Republic swore in the Constitutional Court’s advisor judge, João Carlos António Paulino.
The judge was appointed based on a deliberation by the Superior Council of the Judiciary, to fill the vacancy.
At the ceremony, held at the Presidential Palace, the Head of State said that the act marks the inauguration of an advisory judge who has the responsibility of replacing someone who for seven years gave his best in the service of justice at the Constitutional Court.
He predicted that João Carlos Paulino will do at least the same or better than the previous one.
During the last seven days, a message from the Head of State to his counterpart from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, was delivered in Kinshasa.
The letter, in which the Angolan statesman expresses his “will to continue deepening bilateral relations”, was delivered by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Téte António.
Still in this chapter, President João Lourenço addressed a message on the occasion of the Day of Peace and Reconciliation on the continent, marked Wednesday (31 January), in which he highlights the importance that it must assume for all Africans, especially for the young people, the initiatives that lead to the construction of a culture of peace, marked the news over the last seven days.
Meanwhile, the Council of Ministers considered, for submission to the National Assembly, the Proposed Law that amends the Angolan Penal Code.
The purpose of the proposal is to make corrections and eliminate inaccuracies, mistakes and insufficiencies recorded in the content of the diploma, as well as to change some standards, in order to ensure their more satisfactory implementation and application.
In the same session, the Laws on International Judicial Cooperation in Criminal Matters, the Prevention and Combat of Terrorism and the Prevention and Combat of Money Laundering, Financing of Terrorism and the Proliferation of Weapons were also considered for submission to the National Assembly. of Mass Destruction.
Within the framework of foreign policy, the Council of Ministers also considered, for submission to the National Assembly, draft diplomas approving, for ratification or accession, the following International Treaties:
In the same session, the CM approved the Organic Statute of the Office of Strategic Studies and Analysis (GEAE), a body under the supervision of the Military House of the President of the Republic, specialized in providing assistance and technical-consultative support, through diversified studies in security matters. national and in the development of tasks of psychological action, information, communication, civic, moral and patriotic education.
During the week, the participation of the Vice-President of the Republic in the planting of 20 thousand mangrove seedlings and seeds in the Tapo Community, Ramiros district, in Luanda, was also highlighted.
When speaking about a mangrove reforestation campaign, as part of the celebrations of February 2nd, World Wetlands Day, the Vice-President said that the event aims to conserve and protect all wetlands in the world.
Esperança da Costa encouraged society to preserve the environment, in order to ensure the balance of ecosystems.
At the legislative level, the specialized committees of the National Assembly (AN) approved the Proposed Law on Gaming Activities.
The Proposed Law reinforces the legal framework for the regulation and supervision of economic operators involved in this sector.
The legislative initiative is intended to introduce substantial changes to the current legal regime, namely the unbundling of the concession of sports betting, lotteries and the adequacy of the share capital and own funds of entities operating gaming activities.
Regarding the Special Consumption Tax between 2019 and 2021, the Executive proposed to the National Assembly a reduction in rates, with emphasis on the alcoholic beverage industry reducing the maximum rate from 25% to 15%.
During the week, the president of the National Assembly, Carolina Cerqueira, participated in the extraordinary meeting of the Executive Committee and presidents of the Parliamentary Forum of the Southern African Development Community (FP-SADC), in Cape Town, South Africa.
Under the motto “Striving to achieve oversight that ensures the realization of a better life for all South Africans”, the meeting aimed to promote reflection on the effectiveness of implementing constitutional mandates and explore transformational approaches and strategies to ensure effective supervision of the sector.
On the sidelines of the event, the parliamentary leader visited the Angolan consulate in Cape Town.
On the occasion, Carolina Cerqueira became aware of the specific concerns of the community and informed that, due to the matter, she will take the concerns presented to the AN’s 3rd Commission on Foreign Relations, International Cooperation and Angolan Communities Abroad, to establish a framework for cooperation and exchange of information..
In relation to the exercise of the Consulate’s functions, Carolina Cerqueira referred to the role to be played to honor Angola and promote proximity to the Angolan community in South Africa, support legal and social processes and pass on information about the socio-economic priorities of the country to attract investments in the areas of tourism, agriculture, telecommunications and transport.
The meeting culminated with the signing of the Book of Honor of the Consulate General of Angola and in his message he wished success in the execution of consular work, recommending professionalism and a sense of mission.
During her stay in South Africa, Carolina Cerqueira discussed, with her South African counterpart, Mapisa Nqakula, issues of bilateral interest and political consultation on priority matters on the agenda of the SADC Parliamentary Forum (FP-SADC).
On the occasion, the leader of the Angolan Parliament gave considerations about the inspection process developed by the National Assembly (AN) under constitutional powers and internal regulations, in the field of supervision and complementarity as a guarantee of institutional balance.
Carolina Cerqueira highlighted AN’s role as a Control and Supervision Body, both in approving the General State Budget and approving the General State Account and in the OGE Execution Reports.
At the party level, the president of the MPLA, João Lourenço, stated that the party is the most interested in creating autonomous power in Angola.
According to João Lourenço, in the presentation of the 2024 Political Agenda, it was the MPLA that had the initiative, without pressure, to speak for the first time about the need to create and implement local authorities in Angola.
On the other hand, he praised the performance of the national football team at CAN 2023, where they reached the quarter-finals of the competition.
For the party leader, we must pay tribute to our players for the good results they achieved, despite not being able to reach the final.
Meanwhile, Angola improved five places in the Corruption Perception Index, according to the 2023 report by the Non-Governmental Organization Transparency International, released this Tuesday.
According to the document, Angola improved 14 points since 2019, ranking 121st among 180 countries and territories and, in the sub-Saharan African region, 21st among the 49 countries considered.
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