MESSAGE OF HIS EXCELLENCY, THE AMBASSADOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF ANGOLA TOCANADA TO THE ANGOLAN COMMUNITY ON THE OCCASION OF THE 30 TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ANGOLAN INDEPENDENCE .
Dear Countrymen,
We are celebrating today the 30 th anniversary of our independence, a celebration that represents challenges and sacrifices made by Angolans during the last three decades. Those sacrifices demonstrate that even in challenging situations, we were able to consolidate our sovereignty, reinforce the national unity and preserve the territorial integrity of our country.
Consequently, the 30 th anniversary of our national independence is placed in the much valuable context of our political significance, under the motto: “For a greater future, together in a national reconstruction.”
Angolans,
The constitutional framework is now consolidated. This is why significant efforts have been deployed to prepare for the next elections in such a way that each citizen would be able to choose whomever he or she thinks is more able of providing concrete leadership that would satisfy the wishes and aspirations of the Angolan people. It is comforting to know that measures are taken to ensure that our young democracy is not obstructed through this electoral process.
We are indeed delighted that great political, social and economic changes are occurring in our country. Our wounds started to heal and the soul of Angolans finally found peace, a fact that was once unrealistic has become real.
It is true that there is still a great distance to cover before we can reach true peace and harmony. There is so much to do to level off the social imbalances, confront unfair practices and injustice as well as combat hunger and misery. There is yet much to do before we fully accept diversities and differences as being normal. However, there is an obvious willingness to translate the social and political diversity that so much characterizes us as Angolans into unity and wealth.
The challenge for reconciliation will be overcome if we consider the obstacles as being linked to the actual reality of our conflict and if we consider the lack of trust as a normal process of resistance for people who do not share common views on issues.
Perhaps, there is a process that is leading to an affirmation of our citizenship and the strengthening of our leadership in such a way that all Angolans from North to South and East to West, will be given opportunity to participate in the political decision-making process as well as in all tasks relating to the rebuilt of Angola. Then the process will reflect a true democracy without exclusion.
As a people, we are not numerous for a daunting task and a challenging undertaking ahead of us, which is, to pull Angola out of the ashes of war. In so doing, all hands will be needed to fulfill the wishes of the Angolan people in this democratic process and good management of our young and emerging institutions.
Dear countrymen and women,
The fact that we live abroad should never undermine our feelings of patriotism and much less undermine our rights and obligations resulting from our citizenship. This is my call for the Angolans who reside in Canada . I admonish you to remain united under the banner of our national symbols by maintaining your connections with our homeland. This can be achieved through the promotion of our cultural values. I would like to reiterate again that only by being united that we will be able to contribute to the political process currently underway in our country and also to contribute to the consolidation of the concept of “Angolanity”.
Angola and Canada are committed to strengthening once more their friendship and cooperation on several fronts, including the political, economical and humanitarian. Angola appears to be ready to strengthen its relationships with all people around the world, making strides through the understanding and mutual respect for superior values on humanism, solidarity, human rights and democracy.
Angola is now ready to welcome any form of assistance considering that war has been won and democracy has been achieved . We are therefore ready to welcome donors and investors because all efforts that have been deployed so far seem insufficient for the task of rebuilding a country that has been seriously affected by a long conflict.
Countrymen!
November 11, 1975 is a highlight in the history of Angola as a country and Angolans as a people. We are proud to belong to the generation that devoted efforts and energy to achieve the independence of Angola . We will continue in peace if future generations embrace the sovereignty and the spirit of “angolanidade” that we passed onto them.
As we celebrate the National Independence Day, we pay tribute to the memories of all those who sacrificed their lives throughout the centuries for the liberation of Angola as a nation. In so doing, we hope to be developing in our youths the spirit of respect towards national heroes and the love for their country. The spirit of courage and sacrifice would therefore be renewed and the involvement of all citizens in the quest for the consolidation of peace, national unity, the democratic state, national reconstruction and the economic and social development.
LIVE THE REPUBLIC OF ANGOLA
ANGOLA MY MOTHERLAND, MY COUNTRY
LIVE NATIONAL UNITY
UNITED, WE WILL BE VICTORIOUS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST NATIONAL RECONSTRUCTION, PEACE AND DEMOCRACY AS WE CELEBRATE THE 30 th ANNIVERSARY OF OUR NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE .
EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ANGOLA IN CANADA , in OTTAWA , November 5 th , 2005 .
MIGUEL N'ZAU PUNA
AMBASSADOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF ANGOLA IN CANADA |
