REMARKS ON THE OCCASION OF THE 50TH NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY, NOVEMBER 11, 1975 - NOVEMBER 11 2025, MADE BY THE CHARGÉ D'AFFAIRES A.I. OF THE EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ANGOLA IN THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA
Dar es
Salaam, November 11, 2025
Your Excellency the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation of the United Republic of Tanzania and Guest of Honour, Ambassador Said Shaib Mussa;
Your Excellencies Representatives
of the Government of Tanzania;
Your Excellencies Members of the
Diplomatic Corps Accredited in Dodoma;
Fellow Citizens;
Dear Angolan Community;
Distinguished Friends of Angola;
Ladies and Gentlemen;
It is
with great honour and patriotic emotion that, on behalf of the Government of
the Republic of Angola, I would like to thank our Distinguished Guests who are
in attendance, to celebrate November 11, a date in which our people mark fifty
years of national independence - half a century of freedom, of sovereignty and
affirmation as an Independent State on the global stage.
Today,
as we raise the tricolor flag - red, yellow and black - symbol of resistance
and hope, we remember the courage, sacrifice and vision of our heroes who made
possible the dream of a free, united and sovereign Angola.
I. Historic Memory and Recognition
On
November 11, 1975, Angola formally freed itself from the colonial yoke, after
many years of struggle undertaken with the bravery of our people. President António Agostinho
Neto, when declaring the independence, underlined that
"the struggle continues in the field of national reconstruction".
After
five decades, we can affirm that this struggle continues - now for progress,
social justice and sustainable development.
On this
fiftieth anniversary, we pay homage to the founders of the nation, the freedom
fighters, and the generations which, with sacrifice and courage, consolidated
peace and constructed the modern Angola.
We also remember Queen Njinga
Mbandi, António Agostinho Neto, José Eduardo dos Santos, and in a special way, Mwalimu
Julius Nyerere, who hosted many
revolutionary fighters, supporting them in the struggle against colonialism and
apartheid, for whom I request a round of applause.
Tanzania,
in particular, holds a prominent place in this history, as it was a friendly
and solidary country, a land for hosting and supporting liberation movements
from across the continent. Therefore, on this sacred date for the Angolan
people, we pay tribute to the pan-Africanist and fraternal spirit which has
always characterised the relations between Angola and Tanzania.
II. Fifty Years of Independence: The Journey
Fifty
years represent a symbolic and political milestone. Angola went through
difficult times - from liberation struggle to civil war, and from there to
definite peace in 2002.
These
were decades of reconstruction, reconciliation and building of institutions
which today sustain our democracy.
Under
the leadership of His Excellency President João
Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, Angola consolidates a modern State, committed
to good governance, economic development and the dignity of its citizens. In
His Address to the Nation 2025, the
Head of State highlighted that "the
path to prosperity is undertaken with work, discipline, justice and faith in
the future", reaffirming the commitment of all Angolans with
stability, transparency and progress.
The
results are evident: the growth of the GDP, control of inflation, improvement
of the business environment and the strengthening of social and economic
infrastructures. The diversification of the economy is today a national
imperative, with a focus on agriculture, industry, energy, tourism, technology
and transport.
Education
and health have received unprecedented investments. The youth is called upon to
be the protagonists of the future, and women, the pillars of the Angolan
society, are growingly taking part in public life, in diplomacy and in
governance.
All of
these are reflections of an Angola whichh has matured, which has learnt from
the past and whichh is open to the world with confidence and a sense of
mission.
III. Angola and the Diplomacy of Peace and Development
Angolan
diplomacy, under the leadership of President João Lourenço and of the
Minister of External Relations, Téte António, has
been an essential instrument for consolidating peace and promoting Angola's
image in the world.
Today,
Angola is recognized as a "Champion of Peace and Reconciliation in
Africa", a title given by the African Union, as a result of its active
mediation and exemplary contribution towards peace processes in the Democratic
Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Sudan and Sahel.
Our
foreign policy is based on three fundamental areas:
1.
Affirmation of sovereignty, the safeguarding of
national interests and non-interference in the internal affairs of States.
2.
Promotion of African integration and South-South
cooperation;
3.
Strengthening of the friendship and solidarity
relations with all peoples.
In the
context of SADC and the African Union, Angola has been playing a leading role
in the regional security, development and connectivity agendas. And it is
precisely in this spirit that we hail the relations between Angola and
Tanzania, based on African fraternity, in mutual respect and multisectoral
cooperation.
IV. Angola and Tanzania: Ties of Fraternity and
Cooperation
The
diplomatic relations between our countries date back to the origins of Angolan
independence and were inspired by the principles of solidarity and common
struggle for self-determination.
Today,
Angola and Tanzania share converging visions on African economic integration,
peace, justice and sustainable development.
Both
countries are members of SADC, and of the African Union, and cooperate in
international forums such as the United Nations and the Movement of Non-Aligned
Countries.
The
Embassy of the Republic of Angola in Dar es Salaam has been working to
strengthen this partnership through the following:
·
Business and cultural exchanges;
·
Academic and scientific partnerships;
·
Cooperation is the sectors of energy, transport
and fishing;
·
Promotion of investment opportunities as well as
bilateral trade.
Tanzania
is a strategic partner and a mirror of harmony which Angola desires with all it
African neighbours and brothers.
As said
by President Lourenço, “Africa should continue speaking with one voice, united by the cause of
progress and of sovereignty of its people".
V. The Angolan Community in Tanzania: Citizenship and
Identity
Fellow Citizens,
The independence we celebrate is also yours. Our
country lives in every Angolan who, out of its borders, carries the national
flag in their heart and honours Angola's name with work, honesty and
patriotism.
The Angolan community in Tanzania is small in
number, but big in spirit and dedication. Every student, every professional,
every family who lives here takes part in building the image of a new Angola.
Therefore, the Embassy will continue to support
cultural, social, and economic initiatives which promote integration, cohesion
and solidarity among our citizens.
I urge
you to remain united, to cultivate love fr the Motherland and to contribute,
even from a distance, towards national development.
Angola
needs all of its children, those within and outside of its territory, to
continue to grow as a just, strong and modern nation.
VI. Angola in the Next 50 Years: Hope and Commitment
To
celebrate 50 years of independence is not only about looking back, but
crucially it’s about looking ahead.
The
future of Angola will be built on foundations of peace, democracy and social
justice.
As
stated by President João Lourenço, “the Angolan State will continue being an instrument for inclusion,
development and solidarity".
We want
a technological, green, innovating and competitive Angola.
An
Angola who values youth, protects the environment, preserves its culture and
guarantees opportunities for all.
This is
the commitment with the new Angolan generations - and also of national
diplomacy, which should continue to serve as an instrument for progress,
cooperation and safeguarding sovereignty.
VII. Closing: Message of Unity and Faith in the Future
Ladies
and Gentlemen,
Dear
Friends of Angola,
Five
decades after the declaration of independence, our Country remains firm, Proud
and determined. The flames ignited in 1975 birthed a resilient nation, which
learnt how to forgive, reconcile and advance.
Today, Angola
is an example of stability and hope in Africa.
On this
November 11, 2025, let us unite around the national flag to say, with pride and
conviction:
“Angola,
50 years of freedom, peace and progress — united for the future!”
On
behalf of the Government of the Republic of Angola, I would like to thank the
authorities of the United Republic of Tanzania for the friendship, hospitality
and fraternity, and the Diplomatic Corps for their continuous support, and our
community for their loyalty and dedication to the Motherland.
May
this Golden Jubilee of our independence inspire in all of us, the sense of
responsibility, love to the Motherland and faith in a common destiny of
prosperity.
Long Live Angola! Long Live the Angola-Tanzania Friendship! Long Live United Africa!
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