Africa-Press – Angola. The Secretary of the MPLA Political Bureau for International Relations, Manuel Augusto, noted on Sunday in Lisbon that the complex and new challenges facing humanity require greater unity among the peoples of the world.
Speaking at the lecture under the motto “Africa and its Peoples” and “International Solidarity”, the politician justified his call for unity as a way for the world to counter “the exacerbation of tension and divisions that we have been experiencing”.
During the lecture, which took place on the last day of the 48th Edition of the “Avante Weekly Festival”, promoted by the Portuguese Communist Party (PCP), Manuel Augusto appealed to political representatives from various parts of the world to ensure that Africa is seen and considered “the land of its people”.
Calling for it to be seen as “that of its people” is not calling for the continent to be isolated, but rather for its destiny to be in the hands of its children, as happens on other continents, and to give Africa its real weight in the international context, he argued.
According to Manuel Augusto, the theme “Africa belongs to its people”, chosen for the 48th Edition of the “Festa do Semanário Avante”, is not of linear interpretation, as the relationship between man and the land is defined by laws that vary from one country to another and, sometimes, from one region within the same country.
However, he continued, the clarifications that are required make perfect sense and, especially when it comes to politicians, there is the certainty that they understand perfectly what is intended to be said about “Africa belongs to its people”, as well as the multiple deviations that history has recorded.
“We all know that, although there is no doubt that Africa belongs to Africans, and Asia belongs to Asians and Europe belongs to Europeans, it is no less true that we often see non-African personalities and forces far from Africa interfering in African affairs, sometimes giving the impression that they are more African than the Africans themselves”, emphasized the Angolan politician.
On the other hand, Manuel Augusto said that the same controversy is observed in relation to the concept of “people of a certain territory”, given that there are countries known as lands of immigrants and with globalization we have become “citizens of the world”, which should mean that everyone is free to live wherever they want.
The Angolan politician replied that the considerations made are not intended to confuse anyone, but rather to illustrate the extent of the difficulty in addressing the theme proposed for the 48th Edition of the “Avante Weekly Festival”.
Another example, considered by the secretary of the MPLA Political Bureau for International Relations, “The imbalance in international treatment”, was about legislative, presidential or even local elections worldwide.
Manuel Augusto recalled that African countries have never been invited to observe elections in Europe or other geographical locations, emphasizing that it is uncomfortable to hear that “our elections must be observed and validated by non-African personalities and institutions”.
“We Africans, as long as we are left without external interference, are capable of solving our problems, as for example the process that led to peace in Angola is an example of this”, stated the secretary of the MPLA Political Bureau for International Relations.
Manuel Augusto recalled that no external mediation was necessary for Angolans to reach an understanding, causing the weapons to fall silent forever in Angola and based on the experience gained, the President of the Republic, João Lourenço, has defended the use of dialogue to resolve the problems that the continent faces.
After emerging victorious in the struggle that led to the independence of most of its countries, the Angolan politician stressed, Africa needs to free itself from external influences and impositions.
Riches cannot justify greed
The secretary of the MPLA Political Bureau for International Relations also said that the African continent is overflowing with natural resources that the world needs for development, but this should not justify the greed that some forces and personalities show towards the African continent.
He stressed that Africa has large reserves of raw materials and minerals that the world needs, but those who set the price of these substances are those who need them rather than those who hold them, while the prices of finished products are set by producers.
Regarding the UN Security Council, the politician said that “we see that the powerful group of permanent members, made up of five countries, who claim to be the true owners of the world, because they decide what is good or not for humanity, is not made up of any African country.”
Left-wing parties exchange experiences
According to the news published on the official MPLA website, Manuel Augusto joined other representatives of other left-wing political parties to discuss the African continent and international solidarity, as well as the exchange of experiences.
During the four days of the 48th edition of the “Festa do Semanário Avante”, Angola has a stand, where it is presenting the national socio-political and economic reality, in addition to seeking and strengthening cooperation with parties of similar ideology.
The MPLA delegation also includes the Central Committee Department Directors, namely Manuel Victor and João Francisco. The presence of these party entities aimed to exchange experiences in the context of cooperation between parties with similar ideologies.
According to the page, the “Festa do Semanário Avante” is an international event held by the Portuguese Communist Party, which provides a platform for political and cultural discussions, promoting international solidarity and exchange between left-wing parties.
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