LUANDA: The Minister of State and head of the Military Office of the President of the Republic, Francisco Pereira Furtado, laid a wreath on Monday in Luanda at the Monument to the Unknown Soldier, in honor of the heroes who made sacrifices in the conquest of National Independence, achieved on November 11, 1975. The ceremony, preceded by the raising of the Monument Flag at the Armed Forces museum, was attended by several personalities from the State apparatus and civil society, who witnessed the moment, following the celebrations of the 49th anniversary of National Independence.
According to Angola Press News Agency, Francisco Pereira Furtado began by expressing gratitude to all the heroes and combatants who fought for the conquest of independence and the guarantee of national sovereignty. He emphasized the honor of having participated in achieving national independence and appealed to citizens, particularly young people, to embody resilience, sacrifice, and respect for society.
In her remarks, Luísa Damião,
the vice president of the MPLA, highlighted the importance of unity and focusing on national production while advancing towards sustainable development. She remarked, “This is the path we have to take, after 49 years of many achievements, but also many challenges.” Damião urged Angolans to stay committed and contribute to better honoring those who fought for the country’s independence.
Eugenia Neto, widow of the Founder of the Nation, stressed the necessity for young people to work and study to preserve the legacy of independence and the progress Angola has made today. The historical context traces back to the fifteenth century when the Portuguese arrived during the period of great navigations, seeking new trade routes and territorial expansion. The first contact occurred in 1482 with navigator Diogo Cão’s arrival at the Zaire River, marking the beginning of the exploration of the Angolan coast.
The Portuguese presence solidified over the centuries, with Luanda being founded in 1575 as a significant adminis
trative center involved in the trade of slaves, precious stones, and spices. The struggle for Angolan freedom intensified in 1961, leading to a protracted armed conflict involving liberation movements such as MPLA, UNITA, and FNLA. After years of confrontation and negotiations, Angola declared its independence in 1975 in a Luanda ceremony led by the first president, António Agostinho Neto.