Luanda – President João Lourenço of Angola accredited thirteen new ambassadors, seven resident and six non-resident, in a ceremony held in Luanda on Monday. These appointments mark a significant diplomatic reshuffle for this Southern African nation, enhancing its global diplomatic ties.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the resident ambassadors include Stephane Doppagne from Belgium, Sophie Aubert from France, Rosário Bento representing the European Union, Roberto Morales Fuentes from Nicaragua, Oscar Leon Gonzales of Cuba, Charles Rudakubana from Rwanda, and Naveen El Husseuny representing the Arab Republic of Egypt. These ambassadors are titled as Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, reflecting their high-ranking diplomatic status.
Furthermore, the non-resident ambassadors accredited by President Lourenço are Jean François Chaumiere of Mauritius, Sara Nicholls from Canada, Elseberth Sondegaard Krone representing Denmark, Joan Thomás Medwars of Jamaica, Fortuna Dibaco Cizare from Ethiopia, and Roland Beridze of Georgia.
The French ambassador, 56-year-old Sophie Aubert, who has previously served in Latin America and the Middle East, highlighted her focus on preparing for the upcoming International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) conference. This event, set for December in France, will be co-chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron and Angolan President João Lourenço. Aubert emphasized the continuation of efforts to bolster economic relations and bilateral projects between France and Angola.
Rosário Bento, the new EU Permanent Representative and a 53-year-old Portuguese national, stressed the importance of enhancing cooperation in diversifying Angola’s economy, governance, and human development. Bento also underlined the need for stronger collaboration in addressing regional security, stability, and biodiversity protection amid climate change challenges.
Nicaraguan ambassador Roberto Morales Fuentes expressed his enthusiasm for this being Nicaragua’s first diplomatic mission in Angola, emphasizing the opportunity to foster cooperative relations. Oscar Leon Gonzales, a seasoned Cuban diplomat, pledged to strengthen the historic friendship between Angola and Cuba, a relationship forged through shared struggles and endeavors.
Rwandan ambassador Charles Rudakubana conveyed his country’s interest in bolstering economic cooperation with Angola and promoting peace in the central African region.
A letter of credence is a formal diplomatic document that designates an individual as an ambassador to another sovereign state, signifying the trust and confidence placed in them by their home country.