Angola and Egypt: A Celebration of Friendship, Progress, and Shared Aspirations on National Day
The celebration of Angola’s National Day was organized by the Angola Embassy in Cairo, bringing together ambassadors and representatives from the Arab, African, European, and American diplomatic communities. This event highlighted the robust and diverse relations between Egypt and Angola at both official and popular levels.
On November 11th, Angola commemorates its National Day, marking the declaration of independence from Portuguese colonial rule in 1975. This day serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices and struggles endured by the Angolan people in their pursuit of self-determination and freedom.
National Day provides a moment for reflection, honoring the nation’s resilience and recognizing the diverse contributions of the Angolan people to the rich tapestry of Angolan culture. It is an occasion to celebrate the progress made since independence, while acknowledging the challenges that have shaped the country’s path.
During the celebration, Yahya Al Wathiq Billah, the Plenipotentiary Minister of Commerce, delivered the Prime Minister’s speech, expressing Egypt’s pride in its fraternal relations with Angola and a commitment to enhancing economic cooperation. He emphasized the importance of leveraging strong political ties to promote tangible commercial, industrial, and investment projects that benefit both economies.
The Prime Minister praised Angola’s impressive economic growth and expressed Egypt’s keen interest in increasing trade and investments, focusing on enhancing the role of the business sector. The historical ties between Angola and Egypt, dating back to the 1960s, were underscored, with the opening of the Angola Embassy in Egypt in 1976 being a significant milestone.
The celebration also commemorated the Independence Day of the Republic of Angola on November 11, 1975, when the country’s first president, Agostinho Neto, declared independence from Portuguese colonialism after 500 years.
Reflecting on the history of relations, the Prime Minister highlighted the role played by Egypt in supporting Angolan liberation movements, dating back to 1965. He referred to President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s visit to Angola and President João Lourenço’s appreciation for Egypt’s active role in addressing African issues.
Ambassador Hamdi Sanad Loza, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for African Affairs, emphasized the aim of both countries to strengthen cooperation frameworks. He highlighted Egypt’s historical support for the liberation movements in Angola and Mozambique and its role in the first regular summit of the Organization of African Unity in 1964.
Ambassador Nelson Manuel Cosme, Angola’s ambassador to Cairo, recognized the social and economic challenges faced by Angola, emphasizing the need for diversification, development, and attracting new investments. He highlighted the historical relations between Angola and Egypt, extended over several decades.
Angola, currently holding the presidency of SADC and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, is a candidate for the AU presidency in 2025. The country has implemented political and economic reforms under President João Lourenço’s leadership, aiming for democratic experiments and sustainable development.
Ambassador Cosme expressed Angola’s aspirations to cooperate with Egypt in various fields, including electricity, infrastructure projects, information technology, fisheries, and the oil industry. Angola, as a major producer of crude oil in Africa, seeks collaboration with Egypt to exchange expertise, contributing to the sustainable development of both countries.
He also expressed gratitude for Egypt’s support during the Portuguese colonial period and the Angolan Civil War, lasting more than 27 years. The celebration underscored the shared commitment to overcoming challenges and fostering cooperation between these two nations.
Angola and Egypt: A Celebration of Friendship, Progress, and Shared Aspirations on National Day
Angola and Egypt: A Celebration of Friendship, Progress, and Shared Aspirations on National Day
