Angola is celebrating its 50th anniversary of independence on Tuesday (11 November) with a civic and military parade in Republic Square, highlighting the achievements of this period and the country’s national culture.
Angolan Head of State João Lourenço presided over the commemorations, which were attended by 10,000 people and 45 foreign delegations. Special recognition was given to António Agostinho Neto, the proclaimer of liberation from colonialism and the country’s first president.
In the early morning hours, a floral offering was placed at his mausoleum, while during the main ceremony, the special commemorative medal, in its Honor Class, will be awarded to the man who led the nation from November 11, 1975, until his death in September 1979.
Around 350 national and international journalists were accredited to cover the ceremony, during which President Lourenço will address the nation.
The event also included a civic parade, in which some six thousand people participated, representing different sectors of Angolan society, as well as a military parade involving various branches of the Armed Forces and the National Police, with approximately four thousand military personnel participating.
At midnight on November 11th, the exact moment half a century ago when Angola was officially liberated from Portuguese colonialism, the national anthem was sung and the city of Luanda witnessed a spectacular fireworks display.
Hours earlier, in areas surrounding the bay, the public enjoyed a show featuring the country’s top performers and artists from other nations, such as Mozambique.
With the first rays of sunlight, the Monument Flag was raised at the Military History Museum, standing guard over the capital city.
For a whole year, the country has held events honoring those who fought for independence, those who defended the national territory from invasion attempts, and those who, from various sectors, have contributed to achieving peace and development in the country.
In total, 4,690 citizens received commemorative medals for the anniversary, along with numerous foreign dignitaries.
Angola achieved its independence after nearly 14 years of armed struggle that began on February 4, 1961.
The signing of the Alvor Accords on January 15, 1975, by the three main movements—the People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), the National Front for the Liberation of Angola (FNLA), and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA)—as well as by representatives of the Portuguese provisional government, set a date for these aspirations.
The Republic was proclaimed on November 11, but under heavy fire, as disagreements among the independence movements and the support of Zaire in the north (with the FNLA) and South Africa in the south (with UNITA) threatened the conquest and the integrity of the national territory.
Final peace was achieved on April 4, 2002, and is therefore considered the greatest achievement of these 50 years of history.
[ SOURCE: PRENSA LATINA ]
