ANGOLANS CELEBRATE 14 YEARS OF PEACE

Angolans celebrate today, Monday, April 4, 14 years since peace and national reconciliation was achieved. On this day in 2002, the Angolan people witnessed with enthusiasm, in Luanda, the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding Addendum to the Lusaka Protocol (Zambia).

The document, signed by the former head of the General Staff of the Angolan Armed Forces, General Armando da Cruz Neto, and the then head of the Military High Command of UNITA forces, Geraldo Abreu Muendo “Kamorteiro” changed the course of history of the Republic of Angola.

The event, which marked the end of a long period of war, which resulted in thousands of internally displaced and maimed persons as well as orphans, was attended by the Angolan Head of State, José Eduardo dos Santos, representatives of the international community and various national entities.

April 4, 2002 has become one of the greatest achievements of the Angolan people, after the national independence (November 11, 1975) as it marked a turning point in the political process and development of Angola. The date was established as a national holiday and recognized as an important historical event in the struggle of the Angolan people.

Today, the country is experiencing a just and lasting peaceful environment, peace which was achieved not by the imposition of external forces, but as a result of the efforts made by Angolans, who understood that there was a need for the cessation of hostilities and to engage in the process of completing the remaining tasks the Lusaka Protocol, with a view to reconciliation and reconstruction of the country.

For the first time, a protocol aimed at bringing peace was signed in the country without any external mediation, corresponding to the most legitimate interests of Angolans.

Hence, the general belief that this is a long lasting peace because it is consolidated in the day-to-day lives of Angolans, through practical steps and actions that require the contribution of all for it to become irreversible.

This reflects the will of Angolans in the sense that all the issues of the past are removed, in order to build a united, caring and mature country, guided by values such as national unity, democracy, freedom, social justice and respect for all.

“He who truly loves peace must learn to forgive, reconcile with their neighbors, and contribute to a real and solid unity among Angolans, without prejudice to the differences that each and every one of us may express,” said the President, José Eduardo dos Santos.

Source: ANGOP

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