Africa-Press – Angola. Full text of the speech given this Tuesday by the President of the Republic, João Lourenço, on the occasion of the Day of Peace and National Reconciliation, which is being marked yesterday.
Luanda, April 4, 2023.
Angolans and Angolans
Dear Compatriots
Today we celebrate the twenty-first anniversary of the date when all guns were finally silenced in Angola and we began to build together peace and national reconciliation among all Angolans, regardless of their place of birth, religious confession, ideological convictions or political party affiliation of each one.
Twenty-one years of peace and reconciliation have gone by, which has provided us with the necessary stability for the reconstruction of the country that was in ruins and for us to engage, with all dedication, in the economic and social development of the country.
The conquests achieved so far in all domains, in terms of the fundamental rights and guarantees of citizens, the economy and gains in the social area, were only possible because the country and Angolans, in general, have known how to preserve this essential good that is the peace and national reconciliation, on which all depend in order to prosper.
This peace is lasting because it has cost us many tears, sweat and blood shed over the decades and, therefore, we are committed to doing everything for the country to never again experience the hardships of a war or even the political or social instability that jeopardize the future of our beautiful country.
Peace and national reconciliation were won on April 4, 2002, but they must be built and preserved three hundred and sixty-five days a year, every year of our lives, in every gesture, in every word, in every attitude and behavior of the Angolan citizen.
Dear Compatriots
On this date of commemoration and reflection, we evoke the name and memory of President José Eduardo dos Santos, the Architect of Peace and national reconciliation, a statesman who knew how to interpret the will of the people on the need for a fraternal embrace between brothers, for the reunion of the great Angolan family.
We wanted to take advantage of this important date to recognize the achievements and patriotism of Angolans in general, represented here by civilians and soldiers who distinguished themselves in the fight for National Independence, in the defense of National Sovereignty and in the conquest and preservation of peace and national reconciliation and that, for this reason, they were awarded in this solemn ceremony with Orders and Medals of different grades and classes.
The Nation is forever grateful to you for everything you have done for Angola and Angolans.
Dear Compatriots
April is not only the month of peace and national reconciliation, but also the month of Angolan Youth. It was the young people who, for many years, saw their student or professional careers, temporarily or permanently interrupted, to serve the homeland in defense of national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
It is this same Youth that, with the achievement of peace, has been rebuilding the country’s infrastructure, building roads, different industries, building centralities, hospitals, universities, schools, hydroelectric dams, photovoltaic power plants, ports and airports, oil refineries, projects to combat drought in southern Angola and many others that generate jobs and ensure the economic and social development of the country.
In the past and in the present, Youth has always been a determining force for the development of our country, where it represents a very significant part of the Angolan population.
We therefore have to take good care of her, transmitting to her the values of patriotism, ethics, civility, love of work, dedication to studies and reading, defense of the Environment and Nature, respect and protection of old people, children and women.
It is time for each political party, party leader, church, educational institution, NGO, each one of us individually, to ask ourselves if we have contributed with our word, with our teachings, with our actions and behaviors, to forge the our youth within the most noble values of our civilization and culture.
Let us always try to be associated with good causes, policies and programs that create, educate and train young people who defend and build peace, stability and social order, who preserve public and private heritage.
Let’s make the most of all the potential of our Youth, their inner strength, energy, vigor, intelligence, innovative and enterprising spirit, to better serve our country.
In this youth month, I congratulate all young Angolans, in Angola and in the diaspora, for their month, for everything they have done and are still doing for the good of Angola and Angolans.
To those awarded the Orders and Medals, our congratulations for having deserved this public recognition from the Angolan homeland.
Thank you very much
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